This agreement provides support to the state of colorado to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 awarded the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment a formula grant of $1,948,834 under the Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants program (CFDA 66.460) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. This award supports Colorado's implementation of its EPA-approved Section 319 nonpoint source management program through four integrated projects designed to restore water quality in impaired watersheds. The primary deliverables include implementation of structural and non-structural best management practices (BMPs), watershed planning and monitoring activities, technology demonstrations, and comprehensive education and outreach programs targeting water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from agricultural, urban, and other diffuse sources.

The grant funds four specific initiatives: the Lower Arkansas Valley Best Management Practices Project Implementation for Selenium and Metals Reduction, which reduces selenium transport from irrigated agricultural lands in the Arkansas River watershed; the Resilience and Aquatic Habitat Restoration on North St. Vrain Creek project, which employs BMP techniques such as side channels, floodplain benches, wetlands, and beaver mimicry structures to restore aquatic habitat and floodplain complexity; the Lower South Platte Watershed Nutrients and Salinity Protection Project, which reduces nonpoint source nutrient and salinity pollution from irrigated agricultural fields; and a mini-grant program distributing funds to local watershed organizations for grassroots outreach and education activities. Sub-awardees include the Lefthand Watershed Oversight Group (The Watershed Center) and the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, which serve as implementing partners delivering water quality improvements across Colorado's major river basins.

This agreement provides support to the state of colorado to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from nonpoint sources. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices (BMPS), watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs. Activities:the proposed work in this agreement includes: 4 projects that will support a variety of NPS projects aimed at restoring water quality through implementation of BMPS, outreach and education, and water quality monitoring. The lower arkansas valley best management practices project implementation for selenium and metals reduction project will restore and protect the arkansas river by reducing the transport of selenium from irrigated land and will include outreach components through a variety of platforms. The resilience and aquatic habitat restoration on north ST. Vrain creek project will utilize BMPS such as side channels, reconnected floodplain benches, wetlands, backwater, beaver mimicry, post-assisted log structures, and pools to restore floodplain complexity in the proposed river reach. The lower south platte watershed nutrients and salinity protection project will reduce the transport of nonpoint source nutrient and salinity pollution from an irrigated agricultural field in the south platte river basin. The final project project is a mini-grant program to direct funds to local watershed organizations for outreach and education activities. Subrecipient:subaward projects will include: 1) lower arkansas valley best management practices project implementation for selenium and metals reduction 2) resilience and aquatic habitat restoration on north ST. Vrain creek 3) lower south platte watershed nutrients and salinity protection project and 4) NPS mini-grant programoutcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include 1) the lower arkansas valley BMP project outcomes will be protected downstream water quality through selenium reduction, improved data related to BMP effectiveness monitoring, and increased awareness about water quality and associated BMPS through outreach activities. The main deliverable will be a final project report and on-the-ground implementation 2)the resilience and aquatic habitat restoration primary project outcome will be to protect downstream water quality and infrastructure while also capturing sediment, attenuating nutrients, improving groundwater recharge, and lowering in-stream temperatures. The main deliverable will be a final project report and on-the-ground implementation. 3) the lower south platte watershed nutrients and salinity protection project project outcomes will be improved water quality and protection of the south platte river by reducing the transport of nonpoint source nutrient and salinity pollution from an irrigated agricultural field in the south platte river basin and increased data to support soil health and water quality modeling. The main deliverables will be a final project report, on the ground implementation and data/increased awareness associated with BMP practice implementation. 4) the mini grant program supports small, locally-sponsored outreach and education projects. The outcomes include an increased awareness and understanding of water quality issues to lead to future development of on-the-ground watershed improvement projects. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.