The RESTORE Colorado Program (Restoration and Stewardship of Outdoor Resources and the Environment) employs a collaborative funding model to support large-scale habitat restoration and stewardship projects across public and private lands. 

The program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and funded by NFWF, GOCO, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Gates Family Foundation, OXY, Chevron, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Colorado has long been a national leader in private land conservation, with some of the country’s most impressive publicly owned and managed lands. However, piecing together funding for large-scale restoration projects can be challenging. By pooling funder resources, RESTORE provides a single grant application that can support larger, multi-benefit projects that enhance wildlife resilience, ecosystems, and communities across the state. What’s more, funding from a combination of state, federal, and private sources allows for more flexibility to get projects done.

In 2027, the RESTORE will fund projects focused on the following habitats and statewide priorities: 

  • Watershed resilience (wetlands, riparian, and upland habitats including forests)
  • Eastern Colorado grasslands
  • Sagebrush rangelands
  • Big game winter range and migration corridors
  • Urban areas

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, U.S. Federal government agencies, state government agencies and other political subdivisions of the state, local and municipal governments, Tribes, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses and unincorporated individuals.

Deadlines

  • Request for Proposals available: August 11, 2026 
  • Applicant Webinar: August 26, 2026 at 11 a.m. [Register Here]
  • Proposals due to NFWF: November 12, 2026 by 9:59 p.m.
  • Review period: November 2026 – March 2027
  • Grants awarded: March – April 2027

Ready to get started?

NFWF manages the RESTORE grant application and administration. All partners are involved in project selection.

Learn More from NFWF