The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant Program provides funding to improve and enhance motorized recreation opportunities across Colorado. The program is primarily funded through the sale of OHV registrations and supplemented with additional funding from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The goal of the OHV Program is to promote the safe and responsible use of off-highway vehicles on public lands while improving access and recreation for motorized users.

Eligible projects for OHV grants must align with Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) 33-14.5-106, which ensures that the funds are used for the benefit of motorized recreation. Projects that may be funded include trail construction and maintenance, signage and mapping for motorized trails, resource protection, and educational programs promoting safe and responsible OHV use. In addition, the grants can support infrastructure improvements such as staging areas and trailhead facilities.

Local, county, state, federal, and tribal government agencies, as well as special recreation districts and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, are eligible to apply for these grants. This wide eligibility ensures that various stakeholders, from public agencies to community-based organizations, can access funding to support motorized recreation in their regions.

The OHV grant cycle opens on October 1st, with a submission deadline of December 6th. Interested applicants should prepare to submit a comprehensive application that outlines the scope of their project, the expected impact on motorized recreation, and how it aligns with the goals of the OHV Program and state law. This timeline gives applicants about two months to prepare their proposals.

These grants play a critical role in sustaining motorized recreation in Colorado, making it possible for localities and organizations to develop and maintain safe, accessible, and environmentally responsible OHV opportunities.