The Equine Welfare Assistance Grants, established by the Division of Animal Welfare, provide funding to support initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of domestic equines in Colorado. The program focuses on projects that address education and outreach, emergency veterinary care, and shelter support for equines, including horses, burros, donkeys, and mules. This new grant program is funded through HB24-1458, with an initial allocation of $200,000 for the Fiscal Year 2024-25, and it is expected to continue receiving funding through FY 26-27. The goal is to support Colorado's domestic equine population, particularly those requiring additional assistance.

The funding scope of the grants is relatively broad, covering a variety of projects that further equine welfare in Colorado. Eligible expenses include salaries for project-specific employees, travel costs as defined by federal guidelines, and direct costs such as materials, construction, veterinary bills, marketing, and contractor payments. While current employee salaries cannot be supplemented, part-time employees who expand their hours specifically for the project can be compensated. The minimum funding request per application is $10,000, and the maximum is $100,000. Ineligible activities include research projects and funding for the care of privately owned equines, as well as certain project types and expenses that the state may deem ineligible at its discretion.

Eligible applicants for the grants include non-profit organizations, for-profit entities, tribal and local governments, as well as colleges, universities, or other institutions of higher education. Individual equine owners or companies seeking funding for privately owned animals are not eligible. The intent is to support organizations capable of delivering community-wide benefits, particularly through educational outreach, veterinary services, and infrastructure to support domestic equine populations in shelters.

Applications for the Equine Welfare Assistance Grants must be submitted via email by November 6, 2024, and must include a narrative project description, budget table, W-9, and any other relevant information outlined in the Scope of Work. The application is limited to 12 pages, excluding the budget tables and supporting documents. An informational webinar will be held on October 14, 2024, to guide applicants through the process. Once applications are reviewed by a panel of industry experts and state staff, award notices will be issued between December 11 and December 18, 2024. Grant agreements will be processed in January 2025, with the grant period concluding on June 30, 2025. A final report summarizing deliverables and project outcomes will be due by August 25, 2025.

Grantees will be required to submit quarterly progress reports, detailing their achievements, financial expenditures, and any challenges encountered. Reports must also include supporting materials such as public outreach documents funded by the grant. At the conclusion of the grant period, grantees will need to complete a final report, which will summarize the project’s final deliverables, metrics, and lessons learned, among other required information.

Overall, this grant program is designed to assist organizations working to promote the welfare of domestic equines in Colorado, with a strong emphasis on community education, emergency care, and providing shelter resources. By focusing on these areas, the Division of Animal Welfare aims to improve conditions for equines statewide, particularly those in need of urgent support or ongoing care.