Applications are due on Friday, August 7
CDPHE’s Office of Environmental Justice is now accepting applications for the Environmental Justice Grant Program.
The program provides funding for projects that measure, prevent, or reduce pollution in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change, including communities that have many lower-income families, communities of color, and other eligible groups.
“The Environmental Justice Grant Program is about more than funding projects. It is about investing in the people and communities who know their challenges best and are leading solutions that improve environmental health,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, CDPHE’s executive director. “We are proud to support local efforts that create healthier communities and support lasting change across Colorado.”
In previous grant cycles, the program has supported community-driven environmental justice initiatives that combine education, leadership development, research, public engagement, environmental health protection, climate resilience, and equitable access to environmental decision-making. The Environmental Justice Grant Program Dashboard highlights how grant funding has driven change across Colorado communities.
“Every community in Colorado deserves the opportunity to live in a healthy environment and to shape the conditions that affect their daily lives,” said Meghan Guevara, Office of Environmental Justice Director. “Through this grant program, we invest in community-driven solutions that address pollution at its source, improve public health, and strengthen long-term environmental protections across the state.”
For this grant cycle, the Environmental Justice Advisory Board introduced a new two-phase application process to streamline the process for applicants and reviewers.
The Office of Environmental Justice will first open the Pre-Application Requirement for Requests for Applications, a short set of questions in which organizations describe their proposed projects. The office will then review all pre-application submissions and invite approximately 20 applicants to move forward and submit full proposals for funding consideration.
This grant cycle will fund up to 10 projects, including one project led by each of Colorado’s two federally recognized Tribal governments.
Eligible applicants must be located in Colorado and include nonprofit organizations, local governments, federally recognized Tribal governments, universities and educational institutions, grassroots organizations, and for-profit corporations, including mobile home park owners applying on behalf of residents.
Mobile home park owners may apply only for projects that directly benefit the mobile home park’s residents. Grant funding cannot provide economic benefits to the owner or the company.
The Environmental Justice Act created this program, and the Environmental Justice Advisory Board serves as the grant selection committee. Applications close on Friday, August 7. For more information, visit the Environmental Justice Grant Program webpage.
