The Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) is pleased to announce $460,029 has been granted to 24 Colorado Conservation Districts through the Matching Grant program, funding 26 contracted projects. The CSCB, supported by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, provides professional development, organizational development, and conservation programs to assist Colorado’s 74 Conservation Districts in leading grassroots environmental and agricultural stewardship.
The Matching Grant program, available only to Conservation Districts, is funded by a severance tax from oil & gas entities as mandated by the state legislature. Through public/private partnerships, the program leverages state funds with federal, private, and local dollars through a one to one match requirement.
“The CSCB Matching Grant program is a cost effective and efficient program for directing state monies through local Conservation Districts to provide on-the-ground conservation to landowners and producers,” said Margaret Lenz, CSCB President. “The grant program also supports very important education opportunities for soil health, water conservation and for the youth of our state.”
Funding provides opportunities for local Conservation Districts to assist local landowners through cost-share programs, workshops, technical assistance, and education events. Approved projects will focus on education, water quantity & quality, soil conservation, rangeland health, forest health, invasive species management, and wildlife habitat. Below is a list of the funded projects.
| CONSERVATION DISTRICT | FUNDING | PROJECT FOCUS |
| Agate | $17,000 | Rangeland Health |
| Bent | $25,000 | Rangeland Health, Soil Conservation |
| Branson-Trinchera | $25,000 | Rangeland Health |
| Colorado First | $25,000 | Rangeland Health, Wildlife Habitat |
| Debeque-Plateau Valley | $25,000 | Water Quantity and Quantity |
| Double El | $8,000 | Soil Conservation |
| Double El | $17,000 | Rangeland Health |
| Dove Creek | $8,535 | Conservation Education |
| East Otero | $25,000 | Water Quantity and Quantity |
| El Paso | $1,550 | Conservation Education |
| Fort Collins | $20,000 | Conservation Education |
| Fremont | $3,250 | Conservation Education |
| Haxtun | $5,000 | Conservation Education |
| High Desert | $25,000 | Conservation Education |
| Jefferson | $25,000 | Invasive Species Management |
| Mancos | $25,000 | Water Quantity and Quantity |
| Middle Park | $25,000 | Forest Health |
| Olney-Boone | $25,000 | Rangeland Health |
| San Juan | $25,000 | Water Quantity and Quantity, Forest Health, Rangeland Health |
| Shavano | $10,092 | Water Quantity and Quantity |
| Spanish Peaks | $25,000 | Rangeland Health |
| Teller-Park | $10,000 | Invasive Species Management, Conservation Education |
| Upper Arkansas | $25,000 | Water Quantity and Quantity |
| West Otero-Timpas | $12,500 | Soil Conservation |
| West Otero-Timpas | $12,500 | Water Quantity and Quantity |
| Yuma | $9,602 | Soil Conservation, Wildlife Habitat |
To learn more about the Matching Grants program, visit https://ag.colorado.gov/