Environmental Sustainability Matching Grant

Program Overview

Boulder County’s Environmental Sustainability Matching Grant Program provides an opportunity for municipalities in the county to apply for funding for policies or projects that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or have meaningful climate resiliency. Funds for this program come from the voter-approved Sustainability Tax.

2026 Application Information

Please read the 2026 Request for Funding for the eligibility requirements, funding availability, application requirements, and evaluation criteria.

Highlighted Changes to the Program

Racial Equity Analysis Required

Applicants must describe how the proposal will incorporate racial equity. Please see the RFF and application for further information.

Funding Options

The grant program offers four funding options in 2026.

1. High Impact Project (Option 1): High impact projects are eligible for funding; low impact projects are not eligible. High impact projects are those projects that significantly reduce GHG emissions or have meaningful climate resiliency. The RFF provides examples. No more than two projects are permitted to ensure high impact projects.
2. Pursue Policy Adoption (Option 2): High impact policies are eligible for funding; low impact policies are not eligible. High impact policies are those policies that significantly reduce GHG emissions or have meaningful climate resiliency. While not exhaustive, the Municipal Policy Examples List provides examples of high impact climate policies. Grant funding can be used for staff working on the policy adoption, consultants, interns, stakeholder engagement, and other costs related to the policy adoption work.
3. Project Flexibility with Completed Policy Adoption (Option 3): With proof of adoption of a new high impact policy in the last 12 months (as of application due date), municipalities have project flexibility to apply for funding for projects listed under Option 1 plus more eligible sustainability projects. See the RFF for further details. More than two projects can be funded under Option 3. While not exhaustive, the Municipal Policy Examples List provides examples of high impact climate policies.
4. Project Flexibility for Small Municipalities (Option 4): This option is only available to municipalities with a population of 1,000 or less. Municipalities have project flexibility to apply for funding for projects listed under Option 1 plus more eligible sustainability projects. See the RFF for further details. More than two projects can be funded under Option 4.

To Apply

1. Read the 2026 Request for Funding (RFF) for application details and requirements.
2. Prepare your application.
   1. Save as you go in the online application; or
   2. Prepare your answers in advance in the Word Document template
3. Submit the online application by Friday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.

If you have any questions about the county grant program, please contact Grant Program Manager Lea Yancey (lyancey@bouldercounty.gov), (720-564-2723).