The Restore Colorado program is a public-private collaboration that tackles climate change and promotes community resilience through creative agricultural solutions. With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, Boulder County collaborated with Mad Agriculture, Zero Foodprint, and other local governments on a two-year pilot to connect food businesses with local agriculture, and support regenerative farming and soil health in the process. After a successful pilot and recognition from Governor Jared Polis, Zero Foodprint signed a memorandum of understanding with the Colorado Department of Agriculture to expand the program across the state.
Restore Colorado
Participating restaurants and food businesses join Zero Foodprint and collect a few cents from any dining or other food purchases. Afterwards, these collected proceeds fund Restore Colorado grants, which support regenerative agriculture projects on Colorado farms and ranches that improve soil health and draw down carbon.
Check out the video below to see Restore Colorado in action!
Participating Food Businesses
During the two-year pilot, 40+ Colorado food businesses raised over $300,000 to fund Restore Colorado grants on regional farms and ranches. Participating businesses include all Boulder Subway locations, Dry Storage, and 2022 James Beard award-winning chef Carol Glover’s restaurant, Annette. For a full list of participating businesses, visit Zero Foodprint’s website here.
Projects and Investments
Restore Colorado grants fund regenerative, climate-beneficial practices like spreading compost, cover cropping, planting windbreaks, rotational grazing and more. Producers are eligible to apply whether they are seasoned in regenerative practices or if they are just dipping their toes in for the very first time.
Twelve Colorado farms and ranches received Restore Colorado grants during the program’s pilot:
- McCauley Family Farm
- Grama Grass & Livestock
- Speedwell Farm & Garden
- Drylands Agroecology Research
- Esoterra Culinary
- Frontline Farming
- Emerald Gardens
- Switch Gears Farm
- Olander Farms
- Long Table Farmstead
- Boulder Valley Honey
- Honey Rock Landing
In the News
How to Get Involved
Restaurants interested in participating should visit the Zero Footprint Business Partners website to get started.
Farmers, ranchers, and other food producers interested applying for a Restore Colorado grants can visit the Zero Foodprint Restore Grants website to apply and learn more.
Digital Resources
Learn more about Restore Colorado through our 2-page fact sheets in English or Español.
The final report for the pilot project can be found here, or by clicking the image below:
