As your conservation partner, we’re proud to work with you to identify and support important urban and rural landscape, waterway, and habitat protection priorities and improve access to the outdoors. Together, our land conservation efforts are securing our state’s irreplaceable natural resources, contributing to strong and resilient ecosystems, mitigating the negative impacts of climate change, and providing places for people to connect with the outdoors.

GOCO invests in projects that protect unique open spaces, natural areas, and agricultural lands with significant conservation values. They safeguard essential wildlife habitats and migration corridors; critical watersheds, waterways, and riparian ecosystems; scenic viewsheds and greenways; and farms and ranches. Some provide public recreation access and use, bolstering the health of people and communities. Some help advance landscape-scale connectivity, critical to providing healthy habitats well into the future. All face significant threats from development, energy exploration, climate change, speculation, and other impacts that would fundamentally change the land’s ability to deliver the resources Coloradans value so much.

Fishers Peak. Photo by Cameron Davidson, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy.Fishers Peak. Photo by Cameron Davidson, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy.
Fishers Peak. Photo by Cameron Davidson, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy.Fishers Peak. Photo by Cameron Davidson, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy.

We encourage and support your collaborative visioning and community conservation efforts. Investments in community-driven projects help us all advance shared conservation priorities, explore new and innovative practices, connect more people to our protected landscapes, and elevate the ongoing stewardship of Colorado.

Who can apply

  • Colorado municipality or county
  • Title 32 special district eligible to receive distributions from the Conservation Trust Fund
  • Political subdivision of the State of Colorado that includes in its mission the identification, acquisition, or management of open space and natural areas
  • 501(c)(3) non-profit land conservation organization that includes in its mission the identification, acquisition, or management of open space and natural areas, e.g., land trusts
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

When to Apply

First Cycle

  • Concepts accepted up to: July 20, 2023
  • Applications invited: August 9, 2023
  • Applications due: September 7, 2023
  • Grants awarded: December 8, 2023

Second Cycle

  • Concepts accepted up to: October 26, 2023
  • Applications invited: November 15, 2023
  • Applications due: December 14, 2023
  • Grants awarded: March 2024

Third Cycle

  • Concepts accepted up to: January 25, 2024
  • Applications invited: February 9, 2024
  • Applications due: March 6, 2024
  • Grants awarded: June 2024

Apply to this program

If you’re thinking about applying to this program, now is a great time to connect with your regional program officer to discuss your project. We recommend touching base with your regional officer and reviewing our frequently asked questions prior to submitting a concept paper.

Please read through the entire application before you start filling it out. In particular, review the eligibility information to ensure that your project meets all the necessary requirements. Our reviewer guidance speaks more to the merits considered when evaluating proposals. 

Want to learn more?

If you’re thinking about applying to this program, now is a great time to connect with your regional program officer to discuss your project. Use the link below to find a staff member to connect with and get things moving!

Our Staff