(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Governor Jared Polis, along with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), announced the grant recipients for the Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Launched in 2021, the initiative funds regional coalitions that unite diverse interests to protect Colorado’s lands, waters, and wildlife while ensuring equitable outdoor recreation. The program now includes 20 Outdoor Regional Partnerships, covering about 75% of the state.
“The collaborative energy behind the Regional Partnerships Initiative reflects the collaborative spirit of Coloradans,” said Governor Jared Polis. “These partnerships give communities the opportunity to expand conversations around wildlife management, sustainable recreation, and how we can protect our wild, open spaces.”
This grant cycle boosts investment in Outdoor Regional Partnerships to $4.9 million, with another funding round set for fall 2024.
“We celebrate the most recent grant recipients for the Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative, a cornerstone in our efforts to foster sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation across Colorado,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “The success of these partnerships reflects the dedication of communities across Colorado to steward their natural resources and recreation opportunities.”
Recipients include six established coalitions on the Western Slope and central mountains, plus two new coalitions in the southeastern grasslands and Archuleta County, reflecting the cultural, natural, and geologic richness of the lower Arkansas Valley, Purgatoire River, and southern San Juan Mountains.
Regional Partnership Grant Funding Recipients:
Eagle County Community Wildlife Roundtable: $15,000
Formed in 2020, the Eagle County Community Wildlife Roundtable aims to address wildlife population issues by leveraging diverse values and resources for positive change. The awarded funds will support facilitation, and collaboration, and advance a county-wide conservation and recreation assessment.
Central Colorado Recreation Partnership: $125,000
The Central Colorado Recreation Partnership, comprising Envision Recreation in Balance (Chaffee County), the Gunnison County Sustainable Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Committee, and the Lake County Outdoor Alliance, collaborates with land managers and volunteers to promote conservation, recreation, and stewardship. Continued funding will enhance facilitation in Gunnison and Lake counties and support planning to advance regional conservation and outdoor recreation priorities.
Montelores Coalition: $214,410
The Montelores Coalition, a diverse local group in southwest Colorado, aims to balance sustainable outdoor recreation, natural resource conservation, and economic development in Montezuma and Dolores counties. Funding will support facilitation, community listening sessions, resource consolidation, and the development of a regional vision for future recreation and conservation management.
Northwest Colorado Outdoor Coalition: $220,210
The Northwest Colorado Outdoor Coalition, covering Moffat and Rio Blanco counties, focuses on balancing outdoor recreation with wildlife habitat conservation and preserving cultural heritage. Funding will support community engagement, field visits, marketing, communication, and facilitation efforts to advance the region’s recreation and conservation plan.
Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative: $186,590
The Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative, under the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance, is working to protect natural and recreational areas in Fremont, Teller, and El Paso counties. Funding will support finalizing the Outdoor Pikes Peak Vision Plan and ongoing community engagement.
Pagosa Area Recreation Coalition: $125,000
Building on the foundation of the Pagosa Area Trails Council, a new coalition will bring together diverse stakeholders to create a sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation plan for Archuleta and parts of Mineral and Hinsdale counties. Funding will boost the coalition’s capacity for stakeholder engagement and strategic development.
Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition: $125,000
This cross-jurisdictional partnership among land managers, community members, and organizations in the Roaring Fork Watershed is setting priorities for outdoor recreation and resource conservation. The new funding will enhance community outreach and public input as the group finalizes its strategic plan.
Southeast Colorado Recreation Outdoor Alliance Movement: $75,000
A new coalition in Otero, Bent, Baca, and Prowers counties, led by the Southern Plains Land Trust and the City of Rocky Ford, aims to unite diverse stakeholders on agriculture, recreation, conservation, and economic issues in the southeastern plains. Funding will support community outreach and stakeholder engagement.
West Slope Outdoors Alliance: $250,000
The West Slope Outdoors Alliance, comprising nonprofits, government, businesses, agriculture, and outdoor groups, values the natural and recreational assets of Montrose, Delta, and Mesa counties for economic stability and community wellness. Continued funding will support staffing for data collection, community engagement, and project implementation to shape a regional recreation and conservation plan.
This grant stems from an Executive Order by Governor Polis, establishing the Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative with funding from CPW and GOCO. It supports local collaboration to address specific conservation and recreation needs statewide. These partnerships are central to Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy, offering data and tools to guide local decisions and foster coordinated conservation and recreation efforts.
