Colorado River District

Colorado River District Irrigation Company Financial Sustainability Pilot Grant

The Colorado River District’s Community Funding Partnership (CFP) is accepting applications for a special pilot grant opportunity to help irrigation and ditch companies on the Western Slope strengthen their long-term financial health and prepare for critical infrastructure investments. Applications will be accepted through February 15, 2026, with awards anticipated in April 2026.

Through this new Irrigation Company Financial Sustainability Pilot Grant round, the River District will support applicants in completing capital improvement plans (CIPs) and rate studies designed to advance financial awareness, inform proactive decision-making, and enable local solutions to aging infrastructure risks. The River District will consider funding up to 85% of total project costs for selected applicants. This program builds on the District’s broader work to pair financial readiness with infrastructure planning, giving local water managers the tools to plan and invest at the pace and scale needed to sustain their operations into the future.

To qualify for the Irrigation Company Financial Sustainability Pilot Grant round, applicants must be located in the Colorado River District’s territory, own or operate an irrigation ditch, and be able to contract with an engineering or consulting firm to develop a CIP and rate study. Irrigation companies that have already completed a CIP are encouraged to apply for funding to conduct a corresponding rate study.

The River District anticipates recommending no more than five pilot applications under existing CFP guidelines and will seek a range of companies by size, location, operations, and governance. Priority will be given to applicants working toward broader basin-wide objectives such as addressing water quality concerns, low-flow conditions, or other water security challenges.

For more information and to set up a required pre-application phone call, visit coloradoriverdistrict.org/community-funding-partnership.