The Rural Grant Navigator Grant Program is a competitive state-funded initiative administered by the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS). Established through House Bill 24-1006 in 2024, this program provides financial assistance to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that help rural Colorado communities apply for federal or state grants related to wildfire mitigation and preparedness.

The application window for the 2025 grant cycle is open from February 28, 2025, to May 2, 2025. The total funding available for this cycle is approximately $237,000.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, scientific and research institutions, professional associations, business groups, public-interest organizations, regional and local collaboratives, wildfire councils, consultants, fire departments, and universities or colleges. The primary requirement is that the organization must not be affiliated with or under the direction of the federal, state, or local government.

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate:

The ability or past experience supporting rural communities in multiple Colorado counties.
Familiarity with wildfire mitigation and preparedness grants from federal or state sources.
Capacity to serve as the fiscal agent (nonprofits must be in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office).
Grant recipients must adhere to reimbursement and reporting requirements, and proposals will be evaluated based on eligibility, budget feasibility, and alignment with program goals.

For more information, including how to apply, proposal evaluation criteria, and supplemental details, applicants should refer to the 2025 Rural Grant Navigator Grant Application and Request for Applications (RFA) available on the Colorado State Forest Service website.