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Colorado WATER FUNDING GUIDE Produced and Sponsored by The Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance The Colorado Ag Water Alliance and Micaela Fenton Created by Micaela Fenton THE SECRET BEHIND THIS TRAVEL THINGS TO DO IN THE MOUNTAIN TRAVEL TIPS ADVICES How to travel with a small budget Discover places to explore attractions Make travels much easier for you

Introduction COLORADO WATER FUNDING Colorado s water is highly variable and increasingly important More water users across the state are realizing the necessity of adequate storage integrated conservation practices structurally sound infrastructure efficient management and measurement and delivery systems For many entities these are critical additions or updates for a system but funding typically is not readily available and grant and loan programs are essential to implementation Water users are becoming more aware of funding opportunities with the help of digitizing grant applications however both the Colorado Ag Water Alliance and the Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance heard a need from water users that a comprehensive list of such financial opportunities would help companies do more efficient research It was then that CAWA and DARCA teamed up to make this happen This funding guide came together with the help of several sponsors who are supportive of projects and companies in their communities and basin for progress and efficiency in the water world Amber Weber DARCA Executive Director darcaconference gmail com 719 688 9941 Greg Peterson CAWA Executive Directorcoagwater gmail com 720 244 4629

Table of Contents Sponsorship Guidance Page I Page II Region Specific Grants Page 1 2 State Wide Grant Page 3 4 Federal State Local Funding Page 5 9 NoN Agricultural Programs Page 10 11 Loan Programs Page 12 14

Sponsors I COLORADO WATER FUNDING We want to highlight our sponsors who truly helped make this guide a reality The organizations listed below are instrumental partners in the water world and have graciously supported our efforts Thank you

Funding Guidance II COLORADO WATER FUNDING We know how challenging the grant process can be The organizations below are experienced and provide grant writing and management assistance for project proponents Chelsey Nutter ARWC Executive Director chelsey arkcollaborative org 719 539 5486 www arkcollaborative org Greg Peterson CAWA Executive Director coagwater gmail com 720 244 4629 www coagwater org Amber Weber DARCA Executive Director darcaconference gmail com 719 688 9941 www darca org

Region Specific 1 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Water Measurement Mini Grant The Upper Yampa has a 500 Mini grant Program for the installation of mandated water control or measuring devices within the District s boundaries You can apply for this grant for each device i e for a headgate and flowmeter Each grant will cover only 50 of the total cost incurred per installation up to 1 000 Karina Craig Office Manager kcraig upperyampawater com Conservancy District Program The Upper Gunnison provides financial assistance for projects that enhance water supply or improve stream conditions Projects must have a 50 match Water supply projects that provide benefits for agricultural municipal domestic environmental or recreational uses are considered eligible Examples of projects include water system efficiency improvements delivery structure or system improvements construction of new storage impoundments enlargement or rehabilitation of existing impoundments and restoring or enhancing riparian habitat Jill Steele Office Manager jill ugrwcd org Non Point Funding UPPER Source GUNNISON The nonpoint source program funds projects that Brown rice or hulled or unmilled rice is whole grain rice It has a mild nutty flavor and pollution impacts specifically selenium sediment pathogens is chewier and more nutritious than white rice and or nutrients In the past the programhas been used to but goes rancid more quickly because the bran fund irrigation improvements like converting from flood to and germ which are removed to make white sprinklers rice contain fats that can spoil Any rice including long grain short grain or glutinous Christa Trendle Project Coordinator rice may be eaten as brown rice christa trendle state co us help restore and protect waterbodies from nonpoint source

Region Specific 2 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Colorado Healthy Rivers The Fund grants money to on the ground projects that contribute to cleaner water healthier wildlife habitat and improved recreation throughout our State and is administered through Colorado Water Conservation Board in association with the Water Quality Control Division and the Colorado Watershed Assembly Diane Kielty Program Manager info coloradowater org The Nature Conservancy In Western Colorado the Conservancy has joined with farmers municipalities and other partners to test a large scale approach to this water bank concept The Nature Conservancy has been involved in projects with the Grand Valley Water Users Association and have also helped fund ditch improvement projects for irrigators on the Western Slope Aaron Derwingson Water Project Manager aderwingson tnc org Colorado Water Trust UPPER GUNNISON Colorado Water Trust has worked with all types of water users including agricultural users municipalities water providers and Brown rice or hulled or unmilled rice is whole grain rice It has a mild nutty flavor and bolster streamflows Compensation for use of water includes is chewier and more nutritious than white rice protection of the water right against abandonment and but goes rancid more quickly because the bran diminishment of historical consumptive use while under lease and germ which are removed to make white headgate and delivery system upgrades and enhance rice contain fats that can spoil Any rice streamflows on local streams including long grain short grain or glutinous Mickey O Hara Resources Engineer rice may be eaten as brown rice mohara coloradowatertrust org industrial users to lease or enter into water use agreements to

Statewide 3 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Water Plan Grants The purpose of the Water Plan Grant funding is to make progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado s Water Plan CWP and its Measurable Objectives Preference is given to projects that have multiple benefits multiple purposes and involve multiple stakeholders Applications deadlines are August 1 and February 1 Please visit http cwcb state co us LoansGrants Alternative Transfer Methods Grant The purpose of the program is to assist in developing and implementing creative alternatives to the traditional purchase and transfer of agricultural water These alternative methods could include interruptible supply agreements long term rotational fallowing water banks deficit partial irrigation practices alternate cropping types and coupling conservation easements with an ATM ATM projects addressing municipal and industrial demand nonconsumptive needs compact compliance and groundwater sustainability are all eligible Applications are accepted year round Please visit http cwcb state co us LoansGrants Water Supply Reserve Fund TThis program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests The funds help eligible entities complete water activities which may include competitive grants for 1 Technical assistance 2 Studies or analysis of consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs projects or activities 3 and Structural and nonstructural water projects or activities Requests for funds from the Account must be approved by at least one of Colorado s nine basin roundtables Please visit http cwcb state co us LoansGrants

Statewide 4 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Conservation Reserve Program Grant funds to assist partner efforts that advance the priority areas identified in our Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan This program has awarded grants to agricultural operations but you must attend the Partners in the Outdoors Conference have matching funds in kind and or dollar for dollar and be a collaborative effort including at least one partner organization Applications are due in May and can request funding between 1 000 and 5 000 Carley Engfer Partnership Program Assistant dnr_cpwpartners state co us

Federal Funds State Local Offices 5 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Agricultural Conservation Easement The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program ACEP helps landowners land trusts and other entities protect restore and enhance wetlands grasslands and working farms and ranches through conservation easements Under the Agricultural Land Easements component NRCS helps American Indian tribes state and local governments and non governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non agricultural uses of the land Clint Evans State Conservationist clint evans co usda gov Conservation Innovation Grants Conservation Innovation Grants CIGs support the development and testing of promising new conservation technologies and approaches with the goal of making them available for use as quickly as possible by conservation minded farmers and ranchers nationwide Grantees must match 50 percent of the funds provided by the CIG award through non federal in kind or cash contributions and are also responsible for providing the necessary technical assistance NRCS provides technical oversight for the project Mike Bennett CIG Program Manager nrcscig wdc usda gov Conservation Stewardship Program CSP offers farmers the opportunity to earn payments for actively managing maintaining and expanding conservation activities like cover crops rotational grazing ecologically based pest management buffer strips and the transition to organic farming even while they work their lands for production Payments are capped at 40 000 per year or 200 000 over the life of the 5 year contract Visit your local NRCS Field Office https www nrcs usda gov

Federal Funds State Local Offices 6 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Environmental Quality Incentives EQIP participants install or implement structural vegetative and management practices like improving irrigation efficiency restoring pasture or nutrient and pest management on eligible agricultural land and nonindustrial private forestland In return NRCS provides financial cost share assistance and technical assistance through a contractual agreement Visit your local NRCS Field Office https www nrcs usda gov Regional Conservation Partnership Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program RCPP the NRCS state agencies and non governmental organizations work together to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers to install conservation activities to tackle priority natural resource concerns in a state or region Unlike many other NRCS programs farmers and ranchers do not apply directly for funding through RCPP Instead partner entities submit project proposal Visit your local NRCS Field Office https www nrcs usda gov Emergency Conservation Program Provides emergency funding for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by wind erosion floods hurricanes or other natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures during periods of severe drought The natural disaster must create new conservation problems that Federal assistance is or will be required to return the land to productive agricultural use Visit your local Field Office https www fsa usda gov state offices Colorado programs index

Federal Funds State Local Offices 7 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Conservation Reserve Program Provides a voluntary program to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land Producers enrolled in CRP plant long term resource conserving covers to improve the quality of water control soil erosion and enhance wildlife habitat In return CCC provides participants rental payments and cost share assistance Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years Visit your local Field Office https www fsa usda gov state offices Colorado programs index Conservation Reserve enhancement Program CREP targets high priority conservation concerns identified by a State and federal funds are supplemented with non federal funds to address those concerns In exchange for removing environmentally sensitive land from production and establishing permanent resource conserving plant species farmers and ranchers are paid an annual rental rate along with other federal and state incentives as applicable per each CREP agreement Participation is voluntary and the contract period is typically 10 15 years Visit your local Field Office https www fsa usda gov state offices Colorado programs index

Federal Funds State Local Offices 8 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Water SMART Grant Through WaterSMART Reclamation works cooperatively with states tribes and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply through investments to modernize existing infrastructure Past projects have included piping and lining ditches improve ditch operations though automation telemetry for measuring devices and headgates regulating reservoirs irrigation scheduling and soil moisture and groundwater monitoring Signe Snortland Area Manager jsnortland usbr gov Salinity Basin Funding Our complex irrigation systems were built a century ago with a huge amount of hard work and cooperation Funding programs available now can help you build an irrigation system that sustains agriculture in the Lower Gunnison Basin well into the future This program can provide significant funding for piping irrigation canals with the intent to reduce the amount of salt entering the Colorado River Andrew Limbach Western Colorado Area Office alimbach usbr gov Water And Energy Efficiency UPPER GUNNISON This program provides 50 50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts tribes states and other entities with water or power delivery authority Projects conserve and use water more efficiently increase the production of hydropower mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States Signe Snortland Area Manager jsnortland usbr gov

Federal Funds State Local Office 9 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Water Marketing Strategy Provides assistance to states tribes and local governments to conduct planning activities to develop water marketing strategies that establish or expand water markets or water marketing activities between willing participants in compliance with state and Federal laws Signe Snortland Area Manager jsnortland usbr gov Small Scale Water Efficiency Projects Provides 50 50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts tribes states and other entities with water or power delivery authority for small water efficiency improvements that have been identified through previous planning efforts Projects eligible for funding include installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system lining of a section of a canal to address seepage or other similar projects that are limited in scope Signe Snortland Area Manager jsnortland usbr gov UPPER GUNNISON

Non Agricultural 10 WATER OPPORTUNITIES The organizations and grants below are not specific to agriculture The reason they are included here is that working agricultural lands provide a significant benefit to open space habitats water quality and scenic views In many areas sustaining ag can be the best means for sustaining conservation in general There are certain improvements that can be made to irrigation systems and agricultural operations that provide an environmental or recreational benefit It is helpful to organizations like those below to invest in agriculture to meet their objects and they may be able to provide valuable resources and project administration Many of these organizations do not have grant programs but have provided funding to agricultural irrigation projects in the past It may be worth engaging these groups to see if your project overlaps with their organizational goals It may also be beneficial to talk with producers who have worked with these organizations and we can help provide those connections Habitat Restoration Grants Funding for projects on land with a conservation easement that improves and restores Colorado s rivers streams wetlands and critical habitat Chris Yuan Senior Program Officer cyuanfarrell goco org Conservation Excellence Grants Conservation Excellence grants foster exploration of pressing needs in today s conservation community including engaging local communities to support land conservation the stewardship of orphaned conservation easements collaboration among land trusts and more Alex Castino Program Officer acastino goco org Trout Unlimited Trout Unlimited staff actively partner with willing agricultural producers to upgrade aging irrigation infrastructure which often provide a direct benefit to coldwater fisheries Drew Peternell Colorado Director Drew Peternell tu org

Non Agricultural 11 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Ducks Unlimited The eastern plains of Colorado the San Luis Valley and North Park are a prime example of the state s top quality migration habitat and Ducks Unlimited focuses on working with partners to restore and protect shallow wetland habitat Ducks Unlimited have helped support the construction of recharge ponds for augmentation water and are involved with restored irrigated meadows Greg Kernohan Conservation Director gkernohan ducks org Gates Family Foundation The Gates Family Foundation s Natural Resource initiative will partner strategically with groups to support land conservation water resource protection and management increased land trust capacity citizen stewardship and ecosystem services demonstration opportunities Please note that Gates initiative grant funding is not an opportunity for ongoing operating or program support nor does the Foundation accept unsolicited proposals for funding in these areas Russ Schnitzer Senior Program Officer rschnitzer gatesfamilyfoundation org Walton Family Foundation The foundation s goal is to ensure flourishing rivers and tributaries throughout the Colorado River Basin by designing a flexible water management system that addresses current and future regional water needs while rewarding efficient water use and restoring river health Specifically the foundation has been working to establish an Upper Basin water bank to incentivize conservation and secure public and private funding for agriculture and urban water conservation Please visit https www waltonfamilyfoundation org

Loan Program 12 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Water Project Loan Program Approximately 50 million is available annually for the CWCB Water Project Loan Program which provides low interest loans to agricultural municipal and commercial borrowers for the design and construction of raw water projects in Colorado A minimum loan request of 100 000 is recommended For agricultural projects the interest rate is less than 2 Eligible projects include new construction or rehabilitation of existing water storage and delivery facilities such as reservoirs ditches canals pipelines river diversion structures water rights purchases and hydropower Applications are accepted year round Please visit http cwcb state co us LoansGrants Clean Water State Revolving Funding A low interest loan program that can support eligible projects that include improvements to nonpoint source pollution and watershed pilot projects BMP activities at concentrated animal feeding operations CAFOs are not eligible unless they implement a National Estuary Program Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan Please visit info cwrpda com Small Business Administration The 7 a program is a flexible tool that can be used to finance a variety of business purposes The proceeds of a 7 a guaranteed loan may be used to purchase machinery fixtures and supplies make improvements to land and buildings finance receivables and augment working capital acquire and start businesses and refinance existing debt under certain conditions The regular 7 a program s maximum loan amount is 5 million There is no minimum amount SBA s 50 to 90 guaranty helps provide entrepreneurs access to capital Steven White steven white sba gov

Loan Program 13 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Water Quality Improvement Fund The Water Quality Improvement Fund provides money for water quality improvement projects using civil penalties from water quality violations this includes storm water management training and best practices training to prevent or reduce the pollution of state waters Eligible applicants Governmental agencies Publicly owned water systems Private not for profit public water systems Not forprofit watershed groups Not for profit storm water program administrators Notfor profit training providers Private landowners impacted by a water quality violation Please visit https www colorado gov pacific cdphe water qualityimprovement fund Conservation Easements The Colorado Cattlemen s Agricultural Land Trust was formed in 1995 by the Colorado Cattlemen s Association CCA to help Colorado s ranchers and farmers protect their agricultural lands and encourage the intergenerational transfer of ranches and farms CCALT works with landowners to develop conservation easements that protects Colorado s agricultural land heritage and families for future generations by conserving working rural landscapes info ccalt org Direct Farm Ownership USDA Farm A loan made to eligible applicants to purchase enlarge or make capital improvements to family farms or to promote soil and water conservation and protection Maximum loan amount is 300 000 A percentage of direct farm ownership loan funds is targeted for beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged applicants Contact local county Service Agency FSA https www fsa usda gov stateoffices Colorado programs index

Loan Program 14 WATER OPPORTUNITIES Farm Operating equipment loans By providing access to credit FSA s Farm Loan Programs offer opportunities to family sized farmers and ranchers to Start improve expand transition market and strengthen family farming and ranching operations Beginning farmers racial and ethnic minority farmers and women producers Value added direct sale organic and specialty crop operations Young People actively involved in agricultural youth organizations needing financial assistance for incomeproducing educational agricultural projects Urban farmers and roof top producers Operations using alternative farming methods such as hydroponics aeroponics vertical farming and freight container farming Contact local county Service Agency FSA https www fsa usda gov state offices Colorado programs index