Great Outdoors Colorado's Stewardship Impact Program is designed to enhance the condition of Colorado's lands through collaborative outdoor stewardship projects. The program aims to create significant improvements in both ecological and recreational amenities that draw residents and visitors to various destinations across the state. For the fiscal year 2025, GOCO plans to allocate a total of $18.9 million, which includes $10.3 million in local government funds and $8.6 million in open space funds, to support projects that address the stewardship needs of communities.

The primary purpose of the Stewardship Impact Program is to encourage partnerships among land managers, outdoor stewardship organizations, conservation service corps, and other stakeholders. By fostering a coordinated approach, the program seeks to address the challenges posed by recreation and climate-related impacts on Colorado's natural resources. The program recognizes the urgency of these issues, particularly in light of the state's ongoing population growth, which intensifies the need for effective stewardship solutions.

Funding for the program ranges from $100,000 to $500,000, with specific consideration for requests between $100,000 and $300,000. GOCO will evaluate requests outside this range on a case-by-case basis. Eligible costs for funded projects include expenses related to project planning, coordination, implementation, communication, and celebration. Additionally, staff expenses, equipment rental, transportation costs, and volunteer engagement expenses are also covered under the grant.

Eligible applicants for the Stewardship Impact Grants include municipalities and counties in Colorado, Title 32 special districts that can receive distributions from the Conservation Trust Fund, and political subdivisions of the state focused on open space and natural area management. Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status that are dedicated to land conservation and management of open spaces are also eligible, as are entities like Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The application process requires potential applicants to submit detailed proposals that address specific questions related to their projects. Evaluation criteria will focus on the project's alignment with the program's objectives, the capacity for collaboration, and the potential for long-term sustainability. The timeline for the application process includes a deadline for submissions on October 24, 2024.

Important dates for the grant cycle include the application deadline, and while specific dates for the next cycle are not provided, interested parties are encouraged to stay informed through the GOCO website. For further inquiries, applicants can contact Jackie Miller at GOCO via email or phone for assistance with the application process.