RESTORE Colorado Program (Restoration and Stewardship of Outdoor Resources and the Environment)

The RESTORE Colorado Program, formally known as Restoration and Stewardship of Outdoor Resources and the Environment, is a collaborative funding initiative designed to support large-scale habitat restoration and stewardship efforts across the state of Colorado. The program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and supported by a coalition of public and private partners including Great Outdoors Colorado, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, federal land management agencies, and philanthropic and corporate contributors. This pooled funding model allows multiple funding sources to be combined into a single grant application, simplifying access to capital for complex, landscape-scale conservation projects. The primary purpose of the program is to enhance ecological resilience, wildlife habitat, and community benefits through coordinated restoration activities. The program focuses on priority landscapes such as watershed systems including wetlands, riparian corridors, and forested uplands, as well as Eastern Colorado grasslands, sagebrush rangelands, and big game winter range and migration corridors. These focus areas reflect statewide ecological priorities and are intended to address long-term environmental sustainability challenges, including habitat fragmentation, water resource stress, and climate resilience. Funding under this program is intended for projects that deliver measurable ecological outcomes while also benefiting local communities and supporting long-term stewardship. The program emphasizes multi-benefit projects that integrate conservation, restoration, and community engagement. Because funding is derived from a mix of federal, state, and private sources, there is flexibility in how funds may be used, although all expenditures must align with restoration and stewardship objectives. Specific allowable costs are not explicitly detailed in the provided source but are implied to include restoration activities, habitat improvement, and associated project implementation expenses. Eligibility for the RESTORE Colorado Program is broad and inclusive of a range of institutional applicants. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, federal agencies, state agencies, local and municipal governments, tribal governments, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include private businesses and unincorporated individuals. This eligibility structure reflects the program’s emphasis on collaborative, multi-partner projects that can operate at scale and across jurisdictional boundaries. The application process is managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which oversees both submission and administration. All funding partners participate in project selection, indicating a collaborative review process. Applicants are required to submit proposals through the NFWF system following the release of a Request for Proposals. While specific application components are not detailed, the process includes a formal proposal submission and review phase leading to funding decisions. The timeline for the program follows a structured annual cycle. The Request for Proposals is expected to be released in August 2026, with applications due in November 2026. Award decisions are anticipated in March 2027. This recurring annual structure suggests that the program operates on a predictable cycle aligned with funding partner planning and budget timelines. The program is positioned as a recurring opportunity for organizations engaged in habitat restoration within Colorado, providing a consistent funding mechanism for long-term conservation initiatives.

Engage with a regional officer early; collaboration and partnerships are encouraged.