Deadline: 3/1/22

Amount: $2,500-$400,000 (typical grant size: $85,000)

Website: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/FishingIsFunProgram.aspx

Description:

Over 30 years, Colorado Parks & Wildelife’s Fishing Is Fun (FIF) grant program has supported 375 angling improvement projects across the state, from the smallest towns on the Eastern Plains and the West Slope to the major metropolitan areas along the Front Range. In just the last few years, grants have been awarded for projects in or near Steamboat Springs, Lake City, Hudson, Idaho Springs, Pueblo and nearly two dozen other locations. Characteristics of successful FIF grant recipients include projects that:

  1. Assist Colorado Parks & Wildlife in reaching its Strategic Plan goals, most notably an increase in angler recreation days or angler satisfaction.
  2. Propose improvements, which prove to be substantial in nature.
  3. Relates directly to an improvement in or access to the sportfishing resource.
  4. Assures public access to sportfishing resources
  5. Are a cost-effective investment.
  6. Maintain a lifespan suitable to sportfishing purposes, normally considered to be 20 years.
  7. Support physical facilities indicative of barrier-free construction so that they are open to all anglers.

FIF’s four main categories of projects are:

  1. New Angler Access: This category covers projects developing access to streams and lakes that have been previously closed to the public or to lands that are owned by public agencies but have been largely inaccessible by the public for lack of development or other site challenges.
  2. Habitat Development: Includes in-stream structures, bank stabilization, erosion control, revegetation, submerged fish habitat improvements, and renovation to irrigation diversion structures to facilitate fish migration or float angling access.
  3. Fishing Site Improvements: This category includes development activities at existing public fishing sites such as restrooms, angler trails, fishing piers, shade shelters, parking lots, and other angler amenities.
  4. Boat Access: This category covers all types of amenities associated with motor boat access. Projects can be on rivers or lakes and include improvements such as boat ramps, docks, restrooms, parking lots, fencing and access road improvements.

Eligible applicants:

A wide range of entities are eligible to apply for FIF grants including local and county governments, park and recreation departments, open space departments, water districts, landowners, angling organizations, land and water trusts, conservation groups and other nonprofit organizations.

Of note:

  1. Applicants are advised to contact their local Colorado Parks & Wildlife office as soon as possible, but at least 30 days prior to application deadline.
  2. FIF grants reimburse project sponsors for up to 75% of approved expenses.
  3. Applicants may not participate in more than two projects annually.
  4. Two or more local agencies may form a partnership to conduct a project.

PROGRAM CONTACT

Jim Guthrie, Program Coordinator

(303)-866-3203, ext. 4689

​jim.guthrie@state.co.us

Colorado Parks & Wildlife

1313 Sherman Street

Denver, CO 80203