Up to $2M in Emergency Services Grants Available. Apply by Oct. 15.

Brief Summary

• Fire protection districts in Boulder County can apply for funding for equipment, capital needs, training, and other items.
• The application system is now open for grant proposals.
• Applications are due by Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Description

The Emergency Services Grant Program is funded by the Boulder County Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax. Grants are awarded in the spring and fall to help fill funding gaps related to search and rescue, emergency medical assistance, and trail and trailhead safety in rural and mountainous Boulder County.

Grants can be applied toward:

• Equipment and capital purchases and upgrades;
• Specialized training for emergency personnel;
• Operational enhancements to improve response capabilities;
• Infrastructure improvements to better support emergency services.

Eligibility:

The Fall 2025 Grant Round is open to fire districts and departments that provide emergency services in the mountain and rural areas of Boulder County.

Criteria

• Applicant must provide services within Boulder County (wholly or in part).
• All-inclusive one-time grants only (no multi-year or ongoing grants).

How to Apply

Check Eligibility and Criteria to see if your agency qualifies (includes FAQs).

Review Application Guidelines for questions and details.

Follow Portal Instructions for step-by-step help submitting a proposal.

Apply Online through the Emergency Services Grant portal. Note: All agencies must register as new users, even if you applied in the past.

Please only submit ONE application per agency (requests for multiple items should be included in the same application.)

Note: The application portal will close promptly at 5 p.m. MT on Oct. 15, 2025

Lifesaving equipment, gear, and vehicle purchased with the emergency services grants.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is there a limit to how much a fire district can apply for?

There is no limit to a fire district's request for the fall 2025 grant round, but bear in mind that more than 20 eligible agencies can apply for grants in this cycle. (See list of past awarded grants by agency, type or service, and year.)

Since 2023, Boulder County has allocated $3 million from the Emergency Services Sales Tax to fire protection districts. Individual fire district grant amounts have ranged from $16K to $202K. Of the total amount, $1.3 million was used to fund dual-band radios for every district within the county.

2) What criteria does the selection committee use when reviewing applications?

Award recommendations are formed from criteria including, but not limited to:

• Described agency/proposal need;
• Size of agency/district and financial resources available to the agency;
• Number of agencies 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.

3) 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. The Emergency Services Grant Program Advisory Committee, comprised of 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.

Find out more about the Emergency Services Grants.

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Boulder County wants to ensure that everyone has equal access to our programs, activities, and services. If you need help in another language, please email commissioners@bouldercounty.gov or call 303-441-3500.