Chaffee County Common Ground Program

The Chaffee County Common Ground Program is administered through a partnership between Chaffee County, the Chaffee County Community Foundation, and the Citizens Advisory Committee. The program is designed to allocate locally generated funds toward projects that address key environmental and land-use priorities within Chaffee County. Its primary focus areas include improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, conserving agricultural lands, and managing the impacts of increased outdoor recreation. The program reflects a coordinated local effort to balance ecological protection, community safety, and sustainable economic activity. The purpose of the grant program is to fund both planning and implementation projects that produce measurable, high-impact outcomes aligned with these priorities. Eligible activities include forest treatment planning and execution, agricultural land conservation, recreation impact mitigation, and land acquisition or conservation easements. The program emphasizes evidence-based approaches and encourages projects that leverage additional funding sources to maximize impact. Applicants are expected to demonstrate alignment with county planning documents and, where applicable, secure support from relevant land management agencies. Funding for the 2026 to 2027 competitive cycle totals 450000 dollars. Individual grant requests must fall between 5000 and 100000 dollars. While larger requests above 50000 dollars are permitted, they undergo more rigorous review due to increased competition. The program prioritizes projects requesting less than 50000 dollars and encourages applicants to provide matching funds. Although not strictly required, proposals with at least a 50 percent match receive preference, and those with a 200 percent match are even more competitive. All awarded projects must be completed within a single calendar year, specifically from January through December 2027. Eligibility varies by grant category but generally includes government entities and IRS-certified nonprofit organizations with relevant expertise. Certain categories also allow individual landowners engaged in active agricultural operations. Projects must meet several baseline requirements, including secured permits and landowner permissions, a detailed project plan and timeline, a properly formatted budget, and clearly defined measurable outcomes. Projects must also comply with local land use codes, environmental regulations, and applicable federal requirements such as the National Environmental Policy Act when relevant. The application process is conducted through an online grant portal and includes submission of detailed project proposals, budgets, and supporting documentation. Applicants are encouraged to review scoring rubrics and application questions in advance to strengthen their submissions. Applications open on July 20 and close on August 28 at 11:59 p.m. Following submission, applications undergo staff review, followed by evaluation by the Citizens Advisory Committee, which may include site visits. Final funding recommendations are made in late November, with official approval by the Board of County Commissioners in December. Award notifications are issued before the end of December, and funds are disbursed in January following execution of a grant agreement. Projects must expend all funds by December 31, 2027. Reporting is required every six months, with specific deadlines in July 2027 and January 2028. Failure to meet reporting requirements may impact eligibility for future funding. The program operates on an annual cycle, making it a recurring funding opportunity for organizations and entities working within Chaffee County to address environmental and land management challenges.

Align projects clearly with program goals and county plans; demonstrate measurable outcomes; leverage matching funds to increase competitiveness; ensure all permits and documentation are complete before submission