Watershed Restoration Grant Program Stimulus

The act transfers $30 million from the general fund to the Colorado water conservation board construction fund and appropriates the money for use by the Colorado water conservation board (CWCB) to protect watersheds against the impacts of wildfires through the existing watershed restoration grant program and for conducting a statewide watershed analysis to investigate the susceptibility of life, safety, infrastructure, and water supplies to wildfire impacts. The CWCB can use up to 5% of the money to administer the grant program and up to 10% to provide technical engineering services to grantees. The CWCB is directed to:

• Spend up to $500,000 by December 31, 2022, to conduct the analysis; and
• Award at least $10 million dollars in grants under the grant program by July 1, 2022, and award the remaining money, less the money the CWCB uses to administer the grant program and provide technical engineering services, in grants by December 31, 2022.
  (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)