Environmental Sustainability Matching Grant

Program Overview

In November 2016, voters approved the Sustainability Tax ballot initiative, which includes grant funding to cities and towns. 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.

As in past years, applicants should leverage available state funding first, before pursuing county grant funding. Applicants must also describe how the proposal will incorporate racial equity.

New in 2026

Please read the 2026 Request for Funding for the eligibility requirements, estimated funding, application requirements, and evaluation criteria. The funding table in the RFF includes estimated funding and will be finalized in fall 2025.

Highlighted Changes to the Program

The grant program offers the following funding options each year.

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(s), consultants, interns, stakeholder engagement, and other costs related to the policy 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. The RFF provides 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 RFF for further details. More than two projects can be funded under Option 4.

To Apply

1. Applications are currently CLOSED. Applications for 2026 grant funding will open in the fall. The application template is available for municipalities’ planning purposes. The application content is subject to change until final release in fall 2025.
2. Read the 2025 Request for Funding (RFF) for grant eligibility details, application requirements, and evaluation criteria. The RFF is subject to change until applications open in fall 2025.
   • NOTE: The funding table in the RFF includes estimated funding and will be finalized in fall 2025.
3. Visit this webpage again when Boulder County announces the application is open for municipalities this fall.

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