(Denver) November 8, 2023: CDPHE’s Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise is pleased to announce its ninth grant cycle to support Front Range projects on waste diversion, the process of diverting and redirecting waste from landfills.
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 seeks to support shovel-ready, high-impact projects capable of diverting a minimum of 1,000 additional tons of material per year. 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 about 85% percent of the state’s waste, active engagement from businesses, organizations, and local governments within this 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. 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,” said Laurie Johnson, chair of the Front Range Waste Diversion Board of Directors.
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. Examples of previous grant awards include:
- 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-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 take-out food container operations.
- Compost Queen received $206,579 to increase composting efficiency and capacity in Larimer County.
The Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise’s 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 policy on the Front Range, with the goal of reducing the amount of waste going to Colorado landfills.
Grant applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on January 12. For more information about the Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise and to access the current grant Request For Applications information, please visit the Front Range Waste Diversion website.
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