Climate Smart Markets Program
Climate Smart Market Expansion Project Accepting Proposals
The Climate Smart Markets Program drives market development and increases sales for agricultural products. These products are grown using practices that directly address Colorado's climatic challenges. Through competitive awards, the program incentivizes innovation and creates new climate-smart market opportunities by removing the financial risk associated with entry and start-up.
The Climate Smart Market Expansion Project is a competitive opportunity that supports pilot projects to facilitate expanding the marketplace for climate-smart commodities and products.
The Opportunity: These awards support initiatives that increase demand for climate smart crops and establish market premiums for Colorado producers at all stages of the supply chain.
Available: A total of up to $120,000 is available for this project round.
Who Should Submit a Proposal: Businesses that source Colorado’s climate smart commodities and products are strongly encouraged to submit a proposal. This includes, but is not limited to, food, beverage, clothing, and other manufacturers, as well as processors, commodity handlers, farm product dealers, buyers, and distributors.
Proposals Are Now Being Accepted
View the solicitation. Go to Colorado VSS.
- On the Colorado VSS home page, click “View Published Solicitations" at the top right.
- Enter *2026*0100* in the Keyword Search bar.
- For any questions related to this solicitation, please email Kathy Chang by the submission deadline
Deadline: Submit all proposal materials by October 29, 2025, at 12 p.m. MT.
Attend the Optional Virtual Information Session on Friday October 17th
- You’ll find the meeting link in the solicitation document on Colorado VSS.
- Join directly using the link. Registration for this session is not required.
- Non-attendance will not preclude interested parties from this solicitation.
- The session will not be recorded. Content shared in the session is publicly available and/or provided in the solicitation document.
What is "Climate Smart"?
For purposes of this Program, please refer to the following definitions:
- Climate Smart Commodities: means raw materials produced using any practice that increases soil health, optimizes water usage, or enhances more diverse and beneficial ecosystems, and/or reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Climate Smart Agricultural Products: means processed or semi-processed agricultural goods grown, raised, or made using climate-smart practices. Additionally, proposals that also identify climate-smart practices within the supply chain will be considered as secondary criteria.
- Climate Smart Supply Chain Practices: means practices adopted in one or more areas of the supply chain: purchasing, processing, distribution, manufacturing, packaging, and/or waste management.
Eligibility and Compliance Requirements
Who can submit a proposal?
Eligible businesses or organizations must be based in Colorado or have demonstrated clear relationships with Colorado-based suppliers.
Meeting Compliance
Entities awarded by CDA must be compliant with local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
Get the Latest Funding News: Sign up for our email list below to receive updates on the Climate Smart Market Expansion Project and future opportunities.
Colorado's Climate-Smart Future: Insights from the First-Round Innovators
Get the scoop on new and innovative pilot projects helping to expand the marketplace for climate smart agricultural commodities and products! You’ll hear from lead partners on the projects sponsored by the first round of the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Climate Smart Market Expansion (CSME) Project. Panelists include:
- Todd Olander, farmer and founder, Root Shoot Malting
- Luke Richards, head of product and business development, Downforce Technologies
- Jake Gefell, co-founder, Tumbleweed Bread and Tomorrow’s Bread
- Sarah Jones, co-owner, Jones Farms Organics
- Amanda Laban, Markets Division Director, Colorado Department of Agriculture
Join our Member Webinar on Monday, October 20, 2025. Register for the Colorado Proud Webinar
From Grain to Glass, A Round 1 Success Story
What happens when farmers, maltsters, brewers, and innovators join forces? A beer that’s as good for the planet as it is in your glass. In this climate-smart brewing case study, New Belgium Brewing collaborated with Olander Farms, Root Shoot Malting, and Downforce Technologies to demonstrate that sustainable beer is not only possible but also scalable.
By combining regenerative farming, premium malt, and verifiable carbon data, they created a supply chain that delivers healthier soils, lower emissions, and the same award-winning taste. The result? A model for brewing that’s good for business, good for the planet, and even better for beer lovers.
Newtopia Now Showcase
In August 2025, CDA sponsored six amazing local food and beverage brands, one dynamic grower-buyer coalition, and a few remarkable Colorado farmers at the Colorado Climate Smart Showcase at Newtopia Now, a major natural products trade show that took place in Denver.
These award-winning companies source ingredients grown using climate-smart practices in Colorado: Roaring Fork Mill, Dry Storage, Dry Land Distillers, Pastificio Boulder, Haxtun Heritage Mills, Spark + Honey, and the Rye Resurgence Project, a grassroots coalition working to save water and build sustainable markets for San Luis Valley growers, also joined our climate-smart exhibitors.
Read more about the exhibitors, their tasty products, and their dedication to supporting Colorado climate-smart producers in this article: “Colorado showcase features a taste of regenerative agriculture at Newtopia Now.”
Newtopia Now is designed to foster meaningful connections among brands, buyers, and industry leaders, creating a more responsible and regenerative marketplace. CDA’s Colorado Climate Smart Showcase debuted at the inaugural Newtopia Now in 2024, garnering significant business growth for the exhibitors, including new contracts with major national retailers and increases in both production and revenue.
If you’re a climate smart farmer, rancher, supply chain company, or manufacturer interested in learning about market opportunities, don't hesitate to get in touch with Susan Enfield, Climate Smart Markets Program Manager, at susan.enfield@state.co.us, or sign up for program updates below.
Contact Us
Climate Smart Markets Program
cda_info@state.co.us
305 Interlocken Parkway
Broomfield, CO 80021
Ph. (303) 912-9703