Upper Colorado River Basin Contribution Program Consultant

The Colorado Water Conservation Board, on behalf of the State of Colorado Department of Natural Resources, is requesting proposals for consulting services to manage and administer the Upper Colorado River Basin Contribution Program, with proposals due October 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT. The program has received $100 million in federal funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, with Colorado expecting an initial subaward of approximately $50 million.

Preferences are available for Resident Bidders and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). Amendment #1 removed the requirement that 100 percent of work be completed within Colorado.

The consultant will manage water user outreach, pre-application support, the application process, program implementation, and verification and accounting. Specific deliverables include developing and hosting an online application portal (using commercial rather than custom solutions), conducting technical analysis and verification of contributed water, coordinating with the Division of Water Resources and other state agencies on water rights eligibility, performing NEPA and SHPO screening, preparing compliance documentation, and managing weekly project management meetings and biweekly reporting. The consultant will serve as the primary contact for water users throughout all phases. Baseline planning figures suggest 40–50 applications annually and 22–46 projects implemented, though actual participation may differ significantly.

The total contract budget is $700,000 not-to-exceed for all five years. The contract runs through September 30, 2027 with up to four annual renewal options at CWCB's discretion, extending to a maximum of September 30, 2031. Compensation is hourly billing based on four tasks: Water User Outreach & Pre-Application Support, Application Process, Program Implementation, and Verification and Accounting. Proposals must include a five-year budget and hourly rates for each project team member. Annual rate adjustments are permitted beginning October 1, 2027, based on prior 12-month CPI rates for All Urban Consumers; however, the contract maximum will not automatically increase with CPI adjustments, though additional funding may be secured in future years.

The optional pre-bid meeting was September 22, 2026. Questions were due September 28, 2026. The expected award decision date is October 28, 2026, with an expected project start date of November 25, 2026. The federal funding source is Assistance Listing Number 15.567.