Search and Rescue and Trail and Trailhead Safety Organizations Can Apply for $500K in Grants by April 10

• Financial grants are available for Search and Rescue and Trail and Trailhead Safety Service Providers in Boulder County.
• Grant money is provided by the Boulder County Emergency Services Sales & Use Tax.
• The deadline to apply for a grant is Thursday, April 10, by noon.

To receive this information in another language, call or email Barb Halpin at 720-564-2830 or bhalpin@bouldercounty.gov.

Applicants can apply online using the Grant Application Portal

The Search and Rescue and Trail Safety Grant Program is funded by the Boulder County Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax. Grants are awarded annually in the spring to help enhance emergency search and rescue services and trail and trailhead safety services in Boulder County.

Grants can be applied toward:

• Capital, including facilities and equipment, and operational costs of search and rescue organizations that can assist the County in responding to emergencies.
• Trail and trailhead safety services to increase 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.

Step-by-Step Application Instructions

Applicants must submit their applications by noon on April 10. Please only submit ONE application per organization, even if the application contains more than one item or request.

Eligibility and Criteria

The Spring 2025 grant pool is open to search and rescue groups and any agency or organization that seeks to make public trails and recreational areas in Boulder County safer to access and use for all community members. (Note: Fire Protection Districts are instructed to apply in the Fall 2025 Grant Round.)

Eligible Applicants:

• 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.
• Applicant must:
  • Provide services (wholly or in part) within Boulder County.
  • Demonstrate sound fiscal standing and responsibility.

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 include responses to the following criteria:

• Fills a gap or need that will enhance an organization’s effectiveness in either of these categories:
  • Search and Rescue
  • 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.
• Availability of matching requirements or matching funds availability should be noted in the application but is not a requirement for funding.
• Boulder County promotes equity and inclusion of all community members. You will be asked to describe how your organization and proposal seek to ensure that historically marginalized members of the community are included in your planning and service providing.

Completion of Project Requirements:

Boulder County requires reporting and documentation for awardees. Awardees will be asked to submit a final report identifying the project’s accomplishments, such as:

• Brief report on the project or program or how a purchase or piece of equipment is being used.
• Proof of purchase/expenditures for the approved project/program.
• List of partners who contributed to the project (if applicable).
• Photos of the equipment/activity/project/program, etc.

Questions and Answers:

How much money is anticipated for the 2025 (Spring) Search and Rescue and Trail/Trailhead Safety Grant Program?

Boulder County anticipates that $500,000 will be available for distribution for the 2025 Spring Grant Round.

How are projects evaluated and awarded?

Award amounts will be determined using criteria including, but not limited to:

• Described organization/proposal need.
• Impact/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 in lieu 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 spent?

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 award.

The Grant Program is intended to help fill gaps in funding for specific uses, such as those identified through stakeholder listening/input sessions. Find out more about the Emergency Services Grants.