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Water quality grants and loans

Money for water quality projects

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We manage and provide money for water, wastewater, and stormwater projects in Colorado. We have different tools to help entities find the right kind of money for each project. We offer additional help in the form of training, guidance, and project management. Our project managers are assigned to specific areas of Colorado to help each project stay on track and on budget.  

WQCD SRF Contact List

Upcoming changes to the SRF

The State Revolving Fund (SRF) plans to improve project prioritization procedures in 2025. The goal of this change is to equitably allow eligible systems the chance to apply for SRF funding. This change is necessary due to increased demand for the program and cuts to the SRF base funding from the EPA. Please see our FAQ sheet for more information.

The current process is first-come, first-serve and only considers project priority at the end of the process, which can limit funding availability to many priority projects. The proposed changes will result in implementing priority scoring earlier in the process to provide advance notice of project priority and funding opportunities. Scoring is based on the criteria in the priority scoring models in Attachment I of the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Intended Use Plans (IUPs). 

The improved process will use a priority point threshold to determine when a project may submit a loan application. Projects that score at or above the threshold may apply at any loan cycle during the year (“Open” and “Limited” cycles are shown in the schedule below). Projects that score below the threshold may only apply at the “Open” cycles. Applicants will be provided a preliminary score at the Prequalification stage and a final score at the Project Needs Assessment stage. The proposed schedule for "Open" and "Limited" cycles is shown below:

  • January 5th (leveraged) - Open
  • February 5th - Open
  • April 5th - Limited
  • June 5th (leveraged) - Limited
  • August 5th - Limited
  • October 5th - Limited
  • November 5th - Limited

The proposed changes will not go into effect until 2025. The existing process will remain the same until that time. The changes are made official by incorporating them into the SRF IUP. The IUP is updated annually and submitted to the Water Quality Control Commission for review by the public and approval by the commission in October. We are hosting virtual Question & Answer sessions to provide detailed information regarding the change, answer questions, and discuss any applicant concerns. 

There are currently no Q & A sessions scheduled. Please check back for updated information.

The SRF program greatly appreciates the opportunity to assist you and communities across Colorado with important water and wastewater projects. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at cdphe_grantsandloans@state.co.us.

Grants

Grant money does not need to be paid back and can come from different programs. We have several state grant programs to help fund water, wastewater, and stormwater projects.

More grant information     

Low-interest loans

We offer loans with very low-interest rates so that they are affordable to pay back. Our partners help us determine how best to assist each community with funding options. These loans come from the Drinking Water and Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds. 

More loan information     

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)

Updates and information regarding funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

More infrastructure bill information     

SRF summer workshops

Stay tuned for information about 2025 regional workshops.

Get involved

 

Use our online sign-up form to subscribe to updates from the Grants and Loans unit regarding all water-related funding opportunities and news. You can select as many topics as you are interested in. For funding opportunities, please select "General-Grants and Loans."

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