Spring 2025 Grant Round
The Search and Rescue and Trail Safety (SARTS) Grant Program is funded by the Boulder County Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax. SARTS grants are awarded annually in the spring to help enhance emergency services related to search and rescue, emergency medical assistance, and trail and trailhead safety in unincorporated Boulder County.
SARTS grants can be applied toward:
- Capital, including facilities and equipment, and operational costs of search and rescue organizations that can assist Boulder County in responding to emergencies.
- Trail and trailhead safety services that help enhance emergency response and public safety on public trails and open space/recreational areas in Boulder County.
- Innovative pilot program proposals to enhance emergency response and public safety on public trails and open space/recreational areas in Boulder County.
Eligibility and Criteria
Eligible applicants include organizations that serve public trails and open space/recreational areas in Boulder County by providing:
- Search and Rescue, and/or
- Trail and Trailhead Safety services.
Grant awardees must:
- Provide services (wholly or in part) within Boulder County,
- Demonstrate sound fiscal standing and responsibility.
Note: Fire Protection Districts are instructed to apply in the Fall 2025 Grant Round.
Proposal Requirements:
Proposed projects (or requests) must demonstrate a need to be filled and serve to benefit users of public trails and open space/recreational areas in Boulder County.
Specifically, proposals should respond to the following criteria:
- Fills a gap or need that will enhance an organization’s effectiveness in:
- Search and Rescue, and/or
- Trail and Trailhead Safety Services.
- Enhances emergency response of Search and Rescue and Trail and Trailhead Safety Services.
- Demonstrates positive fiscal impact (shows an ability to maintain project/program/service over time, provide matching funds, or reduce expenses for eligible organizations).
- Encourages replicability or collaboration across agencies and organizations.
- Seeks to address safety and risk concerns equitably and inclusively for all community members.
Grants Criteria:
- All-inclusive one-time grants only (no multi-year or ongoing grants).
- Awarded grants do not require repayment but must be substantiated with receipts within one year of funding.
- Cooperative and cross-organization grant applications and proposals that enhance coordination between organizations are encouraged.
- The availability of matching requirements or matching funds should be noted in the application but is not a requirement for funding.
- Boulder County promotes equity and inclusion of all community members in everything we do. You will be asked to describe how your proposal promotes equity for all members of the community.
Questions & Answers
How much money is anticipated for the spring grant program?
Boulder County anticipates that $500,000 will be available for distribution for the 2025 Spring Grant Program.
What should I be aware of before starting an application?
We recommend reviewing the application questions and step-by-step instruction guide before entering information into the grant portal.
How are projects evaluated and awarded?
Award amounts will be determined using criteria including, but not limited to:
- The described organization and/or proposal need,
- Impact and reach of the organization and financial resources available to the organization,
- Number of organizations that apply for a grant,
- Whether a grant was received last grant cycle,
- Description and reasonableness of funding request.
Note: In some cases, an award may be partially granted instead of the full request. Please prioritize the list of items in your request in order of preference if your request includes multiple items or projects.
Who will decide how the funding is distributed?
The funds available under the Grant Program are at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners and will be determined on an annual basis. The Emergency Services Grant Program Advisory Committee, comprised of volunteer Boulder County residents, makes recommendations to the county commissioners on grant funding.
Funding will be awarded on a project-to-project basis depending upon described need, strategic value, and available funding. Boulder County reserves the right to award full or partial funding to successful applicants. Funding must be spent within one year from receipt of an award.
What is required at the project’s completion?
Boulder County requires reporting and documentation for awardees. Awardees will be asked to submit a final report identifying the project’s accomplishments, including:
- Summary of the project,
- Receipts or other proof of use of funds,
- List of partners who contributed to the project (if applicable),
- Photos.
