Colorado
Cost Share Opportunities and Options
Audubon
Audubon Conservation Ranching
This certification-based program focuses on grassland management, monitoring, and marketing. Certified ranches become eligible for market-based conservation incentives. The program supports rotational grazing, woody encroachment management, and prescribed fire, with financial assistance primarily targeted to western South Dakota.
Payment Rate
Market-based incentives and targeted financial assistance. Funding varies by practice.
Contact Information
Dusty Downey
Phone: 504-453-4124
Email: dusty.downey@audubon.org
Website
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP)
The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) offers funding opportunities for landowners who wish to voluntarily protect important wildlife habitat, provide wildlife-related recreational access to the public, and, if appropriate, sell their property to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Contact Information
Amanda Nims
Phone: 303-291-7269
Email: amanda.nims@state.co.us
Website
https://cpw.state.co.us/colorado-wildlife-habitat-program
Habitat Partner Program
Our purpose is to:
- Work with private land managers, public land management agencies, sports persons, and other interested parties to reduce wildlife conflicts, particularly those associated with forage and fence issues related to big game ungulate species (deer, elk, moose, and pronghorn)
- Assist CPW in meeting game management objectives
- Assist with private land conservation efforts
- Enhance wildlife migration corridors
The HPP is funded by 5% of the revenue from deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose hunting licenses in areas of the state covered by a local HPP committee. Matching contributions from project applicants are required for every project.
Contact Information
Email: dnr_cpw_hpp@state.co.us
Website
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited programs emphasize the restoration, enhancement, and retention of wetlands and grasslands. DU manages several grants for funding sources that emphasize conservation practices such as grassland/wetland restoration, livestock grazing systems on grasslands and croplands, and soil health practices. Reach out to your local biologist or agronomist on the website to request a consultation or more information.
Website
https://ag.ducks.org/programshttps://www.ducks.org/conservation/du-conservation-initiatives
Farm Service Agency
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
CRP is a voluntary USDA program that removes environmentally sensitive agricultural land from production and establishes long-term conservation cover. It improves soil erosion control, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Enrollment options include General CRP, Grassland CRP, Continuous CRP, SAFE, CLEAR30, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and Farmable Wetlands. Contracts are administered by FSA, with technical support from NRCS, state agencies, conservation districts, and approved partners.
Payment Rates
Annual rental payments.
Cost share assistance for establishment.
Contract lengths are typically 10 to 15 years.
Contact Information
Contact your local Farm Service Agency office for more details.
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices
Website
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs?assistance_type%5B0%5D=12
Habitat One
Free Food Plot Seed
To help ensure wildlife have access to adequate nutrition during these challenging conditions, Habitat One has established a Free Food Plot See Program. This program is designed to assist landowners in providing reliable winter food and cover for wildlife through the establishment of dedicated food plots.
Contact Information
Brooke Fricke
Operations and Administration Manager
Phone: 308-362-7061
Email: brooke@habitat-one.org
Mule Deer Foundation
Private Lands Program
The Private Lands Program supports grazing infrastructure and management improvements, including virtual fencing and alternative grazing strategies. The program also funds replacement of degraded or obsolete fencing with wildlife-friendly fencing, as well as grazing management planning, regenerative grazing practices, wildlife habitat and ecosystem restoration, riparian restoration and protection, strategic wildlife crossings, and invasive species control. Wildlife-focused water developments in arid or seasonal habitats are also supported.
Payment Rates
No funding cap. Funding is pooled from multiple organizations.
Contact Information
India Barker
Email: ibarker@muledeer.org
National Center for Appropriate Technology
Climate Beneficial Fiber Partnership
The Climate Beneficial Fiber Partnership supports the adoption of climate-smart practices for fiber producers, including those working with wool, alpaca, and cotton systems. Participants receive technical assistance and incentive payments to encourage sustainable production methods.
Payment Rates
Payments generally follow EQIP cost share rates.
Standard cost share is set at 75 percent.
Enhanced cost share of 90 percent is available for eligible producers and practices.
Website
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
- Protects agricultural viability and related conservation values
- Limits nonagricultural uses that negatively affect agricultural land
- Protects grazing uses by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land
- Protects, restores, and enhances wetlands on eligible land
- Includes Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE)
Payment Rates
- Dependent on the project
- Matching funds required to be funded.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/colorado
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
The Conservation Stewardship Program rewards producers who maintain existing conservation practices and implement additional enhancements on working lands. The program encourages long-term stewardship and continual improvement.
Payment Rates
Annual stewardship payments are provided.
Contracts last five years with minimum annual payment thresholds.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/colorado
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers for addressing natural resource concerns such as soil, water, air quality, and wildlife habitat. The program is designed to support a wide range of conservation practices.
Payment Rates
Typically, EQIP offers a 50 to 60 percent cost share.
Rates depend on the conservation practices implemented.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/colorado
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
- Promotes coordination of NRCS activities with partners
- Expands the ability to address on farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns
- Supports on the ground conservation activities implemented by farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners
Eligible Activities
- Land management and land improvement or restoration practices
- Land rentals
- Entity held easements
- United States held easements
- Public works and watershed projects
Payment Rates
- Typically 50 to 60 percent cost share
- Dependent on the practices utilized
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/colorado
Website
Pheasants Forever
Pheasant Habitat Improvement Program (PHIP)
The Pheasant Habitat Improvement Program (PHIP) is a cooperative effort between the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Pheasants Forever Inc., and local Pheasants Forever Chapters in Colorado. The program is designed to assist landowners in developing and enhancing habitat for ring-necked pheasants. PHIP is offered within the core pheasant range in Colorado, including the counties of Morgan, southeastern Weld, Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Yuma, Washington, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca.
PHIP habitat projects are designed to increase year round survival of pheasants, and in some cases bobwhite and scaled quail. In addition, many PHIP practices also increase hunting opportunity and success. Establishing tall grass in waste areas and sprinkler corners, planting sorghum food and cover plots, providing cropland incentives to retain tall wheat stubble, and developing shrub thickets are a few examples of PHIP practices.
The Division of Wildlife contracts the PHIP program to Pheasants Forever, Inc., Local Pheasants Forever chapters and CDOW field staff deliver the program to private landowners. The Division provides PF with technical guidelines and a project menu that can be accomplished through PHIP, and cost share and incentive rates for those projects. Many chapters install the projects for the landowner, but occasionally may ask landowners that own farming equipment to help install a project. Most projects are installed at no out-of pocket expense to the landowner, and increase opportunities for enrollment in the Small Game Walk-In Access Program.
What are the benefits of PHIP?
- Enhanced upland game bird populations
- Improved wildlife habitat for a variety of species
- Environmental benefits
- Better hunting opportunities
Contact Information
Interested landowners in the project range can begin by contacting a nearby local Pheasants Forever chapter to see what types of projects are available. Landowners may also contact the Division of Wildlife to learn more about the PHIP program and upland game bird habitat improvement opportunities in eastern Colorado.
Website
https://www.coloradolandcan.org/local-resources/Pheasant-Habitat-Improvement-Program/9540