2020‐2021 CDA Noxious Weed Fund and USFS State and Private Forestry (SPF) Grants

Grants to Colorado nonprofits, agencies, conservation districts, and organized private entities such as road associations and homeowner’s associations to manage invasive and hazardous weeds. Funding is intended to support efforts to eliminate or control noxious weeds. Projects may also include community outreach, education, and prevention activities. SPF projects must have relative proximity to National Forest lands.

The primary objectives of the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Noxious Weed Management Fund (WMF) grant program are to:  

1. Provide additional financial resources to entities that are engaged in cooperative efforts to eradicate and/or contain state‐listed noxious weeds;
2. Produce measureable outcomes across Colorado for noxious weed management; and
3. Assist new or recently established weed management programs, especially in regions where additional resources are needed.

 The following priorities must be a main component of all grant applications.

1. Early Detection and Eradication of List A Species: CDA strongly encourages timely management action to address threats posed by infestations of List A noxious weeds. Immediate containment of known populations, intensive surveys of surrounding areas or susceptible lands, and initiation of multi‐year eradication efforts must be included in proposals for List A species. New this year: Applicants can now show species that are List A priority at the state and local level.
2. List B Species: Proposals for the management of List B species must be consistent with, or more aggressive than the noxious weed management plans described in the Rules Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act.  New this year: Applicants can now show species that are List B at the state and local level. List B species applications must propose results that are effective and measureable in terms of significantly eliminating populations; significantly shrinking containment areas along clearly determined lines; treating outlying disjunct populations; treating vector corridors; protecting valuable natural resources; and/or controlling new or established populations.
3. List C Species. Grant applications must target primarily treatment of List A or B species.  However, projects proposing treatment of List C species may be considered for funding if the following criteria are met: a. The  List C species is/are identified as a high priority in the county and effective, strategic treatment is possible; and b. Applications must show that the targeted List C species is/are localized such that treatment may eventually eliminate the species in a geographic area, and/or protect regionally valuable natural resources.  

For a list of reimbursable grant expenses, see Page 6 of the RFA in Supporting Documents.