Colorado Launches Another Round of Outdoor Equity Grants to Bridge Access Gaps

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is putting real money behind its commitment to inclusivity — opening up its 2025 Outdoor Equity Grant Program with funding that could hit $100,000 per project.

Applications are now live. The goal? Break down the walls that keep underserved kids and families from exploring Colorado’s vast outdoor playground. With a funding pot boosted by the Colorado Lottery, CPW is hoping this year’s cycle opens even more doors for communities that typically get left out.

Grants With Grit: What They Actually Do

Let’s get real — these aren’t just nice-sounding grants. They’re lifelines for dozens of local groups trying to get more kids outside.

According to Rachael Gonzales, CPW’s Northwest Region Public Information Officer, the grants cover a little bit of everything. And that’s the whole point.

“They benefit us in a wide variety of ways,” she said. “Outdoor recreation, education, job training, school programs, internships — these grants touch all of that.”

You could feel the passion in her voice. For many of these community orgs, that money means one more van for camp transportation. One more counselor on staff. One more teen off a waiting list and onto a trail.

Who It’s For — And Why It Matters

There’s no sugarcoating it: not everyone in Colorado grows up hiking, biking, or fishing on the weekends.

For some families, the outdoors might as well be a different country. No gear, no transportation, no idea where to even start.

That’s where this program steps in.

“These grants really offer that opportunity for underserved communities to get out and explore,” said Gonzales. “We want to make Colorado accessible for everyone.”

She paused for a moment before repeating it: “Everyone.”

It’s not just about money. It’s about rewriting the script — making sure every kid sees themselves in the outdoors, not just the ones with REI memberships.

A Look at the Impact So Far

This isn’t year one. It’s not even year two.

The Outdoor Equity Grant Program has already pumped $8.5 million into 111 organizations — funding 141 projects across the state. That’s a lot of tents, canoes, backpacks, and binoculars.

Want to know what that actually looks like? Here’s a quick snapshot of how past grants have been used:

• Summer camps for low-income youth

• Paid internships in conservation fields

• Wilderness leadership programs for high schoolers

• Gear libraries for schools without outdoor budgets

• Nature-based therapy for trauma-affected teens

One group even used funds to launch a rock climbing club for girls in rural Colorado — the kind of program that can flip a life trajectory on its head.

Key Grant Details for 2025 Applicants

There’s still time to apply — but the clock is ticking. The application window closes on June 2, 2025.

If you’re thinking of applying or know a group that should, here’s what you need to keep in mind:

• Max Grant Size: $100,000 per project

• Funding Source: Colorado Lottery surplus

• Use of Funds: Youth programs, education, recreation, job training, mentorship

• Decision Timeline: Notifications go out in December 2025

• Disbursement: Funds available in early 2026

This isn’t just free money. Applicants need a plan — a real one — with impact goals, budgets, and community involvement clearly laid out.

Who’s Behind It — and Why It’s Working

CPW isn’t doing this alone. The Colorado Lottery, which funds major portions of the program, has become a quiet MVP in the state’s outdoor equity push.

Lottery dollars often go to parks and trails — but the surplus going to people-focused programs like this is something that’s gotten advocates excited.

Gonzales emphasized it again. “We all know that Colorado is beautiful. We want to make sure that everybody has that opportunity to get outdoors.”

And it’s working — slowly, but surely.

Local nonprofits, youth organizations, and tribal partners have all benefited. The result? More kids seeing stars through telescopes. More teens learning job skills on conservation crews. More parents feeling safe enough to let their kids try something new.

The Big Picture: Equity Isn’t Just a Buzzword

Let’s be honest — outdoor equity is having a moment. But CPW isn’t chasing trends. This is years in the making.

When a kid from Montbello gets to summit a 14er for the first time, that’s equity in action.

When a student in Grand Junction lands an internship in wildlife biology because of one of these grants, that’s not fluff. That’s future-changing.

And when Gonzales says, “We want Colorado to be accessible for everyone,” she means it. Not as a slogan — as a measurable outcome.

One line keeps coming back: “No matter what.”

That’s the kind of energy that keeps this program rolling — year after year.