CDPHE announces 9th grant cycle for waste diversion projects

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE’s) Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise has announced its ninth grant cycle to support Front Range waste diversion projects.

The grant opportunity provides up to $5 million in funding for multiple projects in the 13-county Front Range region that are focused on construction and demolition waste diversion, organic waste projects and recycling infrastructure and collection projects. 

With this latest grant offering, the Front Range Waste Diversion Board of Directors says it seeks to support shovel-ready high-impact projects capable of diverting a minimum of 1,000 additional tons of material per year.

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Colorado has established ambitious waste diversion goals for the Front Range region, targeting a minimum of 39 percent by 2026 and 51 percent by 2036. Since Front Range communities generate approximately 85 percent of the state’s waste, CDPHE says active engagement from businesses, organizations and local governments within the region is essential to achieving the state’s waste diversion targets. 

"We're excited to offer this round of funding, furthering our commitment to advancing sustainability and supporting initiatives that reduce waste sent to Colorado's landfills,” says Laurie Johnson, chair of the Front Range Waste Diversion Board of Directors. “These grants will fund tangible projects to bring real change to the Front Range and help us keep recyclable materials out of the landfill and in our economy.

“We encourage eligible applicants to take advantage of this opportunity to help us continue building a more sustainable Colorado."

Eligible grant applicants include municipal and county governments, private companies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. Grant projects must directly impact at least one of the following Front Range counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Pueblo, Teller or Weld.

Since its inception in 2020, the Front Range Waste Diversion program has awarded nearly $18 million to 47 grant recipients in its first eight grant cycles. Previously, the city of Greeley received $147,895 to carry out the Greeley Residential Waste Diversion Study. The study encompassed public surveys, diversion rate estimates, best practice recommendations and policy options. Green Girl Recycling, a Boulder, Colorado-based waste management provider, received $329,500 to extend recycling collection services to underserved communities along the I-85 corridor in Weld County. Deliver Zero received $149,972 in funding to expand reusable takeout food container operations and Compost Queen received $206,579 to increase composting efficiency and capacity in Larimer County.

The Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise says its mission is to provide grants and technical assistance to support projects that create, advance or expand recycling or compost collection, material processing, remanufacturing or waste diversion policies, with the goal of reducing the amount of waste going to Colorado landfills.  

Grant applications must be submitted by Jan. 12.