The Colorado State Conservation Board, a division of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, has distributed $689,182 in matching grants to 32 Conservation Districts across the state as part of its 2026 Matching Grants program. The annual grant is designed to support local conservation projects and educational initiatives.
Conservation Districts, which were established in 1937 following the Dust Bowl era to address soil erosion and drought issues, serve as local government entities representing private landowners’ interests in conservation. These districts collaborate directly with agricultural producers and landowners to implement conservation practices.
To participate in the program, each district must provide at least a one-to-one funding match. In recent years, every dollar from the state has been matched by $1.89 from the districts themselves.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in the future of conservation in Colorado,” said Colorado State Conservation Board Director Nikki Brinson. “Conservation Districts have expertise and knowledge of local natural resources, which allows them to prioritize concerns for their landowners that result in technical and financial cost share programs for implementation. Nowhere else does one dollar stretch as far,” she added.
The Matching Grant Program focuses on four main objectives: sustainable land management, protection of water resources, promotion of biodiversity, and fostering community engagement through education.
Among this year’s recipients are Agate for rangeland health projects ($25,000), Bent for smart irrigation and water quality education ($25,000), Boulder Valley for noxious weed management ($25,000), Center for puncturevine management ($6,451), Delta for engineering funds ($25,000), Longmont for a soil conference ($15,000), Mount Sopris for wolf mitigation outreach ($25,000), Yuma County CD/Yuma CD for livestock and water infrastructure improvements ($50,000), among others.
The Colorado State Conservation Board oversees 74 conservation districts statewide. Its mission includes promoting local district efforts and developing cooperative programs aimed at conserving soil and water resources. The board’s work aligns with the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Strategic Plan under its Environmental Stewardship and Climate Resilience direction.
