Grey to Green Fund

The Grey to Green Fund is a grant program administered by the Boulder County Office of Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resilience (OSCAR). Designed to address the environmental impacts of urbanization and climate change, the fund supports nature-based solutions (NBS) that convert impervious "grey" surfaces into ecologically beneficial "green" spaces. This program is the first of its kind from OSCAR and draws on strategic recommendations from the Designing Resilient Urban Landscapes toolkit, developed in partnership with Superbloom, a landscape architecture firm. The 2026 grant cycle offers a total of $100,000 in funding to support eligible local projects that promote ecological resilience, stormwater management, and climate equity. The primary goal of the Grey to Green Fund is to enhance climate resilience throughout Boulder County by reducing impervious surfaces such as parking lots, nonfunctional turf, and concrete infrastructure. Eligible projects must convert these grey areas into green infrastructure like rain gardens, bioswales, native landscapes, urban agriculture, green roofs, micro-forests, or permeable surfaces. In doing so, the program aims to reduce urban heat, improve water quality and infiltration, increase biodiversity, and support disproportionately impacted communities. The fund places emphasis on areas with high impervious surface percentages and prioritizes equity by focusing on communities identified via the Colorado EnviroScreen Map. Grants will range from $20,000 to $50,000 per project. Funds may be used for costs directly tied to project design and implementation, including site preparation, materials, installation, permitting, irrigation, and community engagement (capped at 10%). Ineligible expenses include organizational overhead beyond 15%, debt repayment, startup costs, and ongoing maintenance. Projects must be carried out within Boulder County and comply with all relevant land use regulations. The application process requires that applicants submit a detailed proposal that includes project description, ecological impact, design details, budget, timeline, and maintenance plans. Applications will open on December 9, 2025, and close on February 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST. An informational webinar is scheduled for December 16, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program launch will be followed by a multi-phase funding disbursement: 50% of the award will be distributed in May 2026, and the remaining 50% in November 2026, contingent on a progress report and meeting with the program manager. Projects must be completed by October 2027. Awards are expected to be announced by April 2026. Applicants must be formally registered organizations such as municipalities, nonprofits, schools, homeowner associations, or businesses operating for at least one year. Projects on single-family residential properties are not eligible, but multi-family or manufactured home park projects may qualify if submitted by a registered entity with property owner consent. Collaborative projects are encouraged, and a lead applicant must be designated to manage contractual obligations, reporting, and disbursements. Applications will be scored on a range of factors, including number of partners, percent impervious surface, location within EnviroScreen DI blocks, benefits to DI communities, ecological performance, and design readiness. Post-award expectations include a check-in meeting, progress reporting, and final implementation review. Program materials, including the Instruction Packet and FAQ, were last updated on December 1, 2025. For additional information, applicants can contact Deandra Croissant at dcroissant@bouldercounty.gov or review the documentation and tools provided on the official program website.

Score improves with DI location, equity benefits, strong design, and maintenance plan.