Grant Funds Available Through the Colorado State Forest Service for Community Forest Restoration and Water Protection Projects

The Colorado State Forest Service is accepting proposals for the Colorado Community Forest Restoration grant program. The program was established by the 2007 Colorado General Assembly and was continued through the passage of Senate Bill 71 in 2008. Up to $2 million in grant funds will be available through the program this year, thanks to the addition of $1 million in federal funding. Grant applications are due by 4 p.m., Oct. 10 and awards will be announced in early November.

"We are excited about the opportunities this expanded grant program provides local landowners and other stakeholders to address forest health challenges and protect water supplies," said Jeff Jahnke, Colorado State forester. "We thank the Colorado General Assembly and Sen. Wayne Allard for making this funding available."

The purpose of the grant program is to encourage diverse local stakeholders to work together to develop forest restoration proposals that protect critical water supplies and address related forest health challenges such as wildfire risk reduction, community protection, ecological restoration and woody biomass utilization.

Landowners and others with the legal authority to contract for work on properties where projects are being proposed may apply for a grant. All projects must be associated with a completed Community Wildfire Protection Plan that has been approved by the Colorado State Forest Service. Additional consideration will be given to projects that involve the Colorado Youth Corps Association or another accredited Colorado Youth Corps.

The state share of total project cost may not exceed 60 percent per project. Grant recipients will be required to match up to 40 percent of the total project cost through cash, stumpage, in-kind contributions or federal funds.

A Technical Advisory Panel convened by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources will review project applications. The Colorado State forester will make final selections and notify successful applicants.

Applications and additional information about the CFR grant program are available on the Colorado State Forest Service website at http://csfs.colostate.edu.

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