We offer loans with very low-interest rates so that they are affordable to pay back. These loans come from the State Revolving Fund program.  

The State Revolving Fund finances the design and construction of Colorado water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. We administer the fund along with the Department of Local Affairs, and the Colorado Water Resources & Power Development Authority. We manage environmental reviews, engineering design approvals, and conduct overall project management. The power authority manages the finances and loan approvals. Local affairs staff members work with applicants on credit reviews and reports.

Apply for eligibility

1. Eligibility survey

State Revolving Fund annual eligibility survey

• The 2024 eligibility survey will be open from May 24, 2023 - June 30, 2023.

• The 2023 eligibility survey is closed.

The eligibility survey is used to identify the 20-year capital improvement needs of all publicly owned water and sewer systems, private nonprofit water systems, publicly owned stormwater systems, and non-point source projects throughout Colorado.

We issue the annual eligibility survey process through an online platform, the Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS). Eligible entities on this system receive a notification to fill out the survey. You cannot receive this funding unless you participate in the eligibility survey.

• This survey is the first step in the State Revolving Fund application process.

• The survey is not an application, and completing it does not require that you apply for financial assistance.

• When the survey is complete, your system’s infrastructure needs will be identified and included in Appendix A Project Eligibility List of the below Intended Use Plans. The plans are updated annually and are effective from January through December. Entities seeking funding for their water and sewer projects must be included on the applicable list prior to applying for funding.

 

Eligibility criteria and survey instructions                                        

 

Submitting forms

All forms are processed using Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS). New users will first need to create their CEOS user account before accessing the survey. If you are new to CEOS, please review the below instructions for helpful tips on account setup.

• Create your CEOS user account.

• Responsible Officials (RO): managing consultants and preparers.

After submitting your forms, check for confirmation that the form was received using the spreadsheet link below.

• Submittal confirmation report.

2. Intended use plans

Intended use plan (often referred to as the IUP), outlines a framework on how to use the funds, finance water quality infrastructure projects, and support related program activities during the calendar year. The IUP summarizes the results of the eligibility survey.

2024 Intended use plans (IUP)

• 2024 Drinking Water Intended Use Plan
  • Appendix A - 2024 DWRF Project Eligibility List
  • Appendix B - 2024 Base and BIL Supplemental Project Priority Fundable List
  • Appendix B.1 - 2024 DWRF BIL Lead Service Line Project Priority Fundable List
  • Appendix B.2 - 2024 DWRF BIL Emerging Contaminants Project Priority Fundable List
• 2024 Water Pollution Control Intended Use Plan
  • Appendix A - 2024 WPCRF Project Eligibility List 
  • Appendix B - 2024 WPCRF Base and BIL Supplemental Project Priority Fundable List 
  • Appendix B.1 - 2024 WPCRF BIL Emerging Contaminants Project Priority Fundable List 

2023 Intended use plans (IUP)

• 2023 Drinking Water Intended Use Plan
  • Appendix A - DWRF 2023 Project Eligibility List
  • Appendix B thru B.2 DWRF 2023 Base and BIL Project Priority Fundable lists
• 2023 Water Pollution Control Intended Use Plan
  • Appendix A - WPCRF 2023 Project Eligibility List
  • Appendix B thru B.1 WPCRF 2023 Base and BIL Project Priority Fundable lists  

 

Apply for loan

1. Prequalification meeting

The pre-qualification form is the first step in actively applying for a State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan.

After submitting the short pre-qualification form, project managers will schedule a pre-qualification meeting with applicants to discuss the next steps in the SRF loan process. If eligible, grants for planning, design, and engineering will also be discussed at this meeting.

• Architectural and engineering procurement fact sheet.

• Architectural and engineering procurement certification form.

 

Has your system completed the annual eligibility survey? 

If not, please complete the survey in June each year. We recommend all systems complete the eligibility survey to prepare for any potential federal stimulus funding made available through the SRF programs. Only systems included on the eligibility lists will be eligible to receive stimulus funding through the SRF, therefore, it is particularly important to complete the surveys this year through CEOS. 

• CEOS eligibility and guidance.

Submit all applications and forms using Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS)

 

2. Project needs assessment/environmental determination

After the three agencies that administer the state revolving fund program review the application, the owner completes and submits the project needs assessment and environmental checklist electronically to their assigned division project manager. Supporting documentation is required and should be attached to the PNA along with the environmental checklist submission.

 

Technical, managerial and financial assessment (drinking water projects only)

• Drinking Water Projects Technical, Managerial and Financial Capacity - User Guide.

 

State environmental review process

• Environmental determination checklist.

• Environmental assessment template and agency contact list.

• Environmental assessment memorandum.

 

Public meeting

The public meeting must be properly noticed at least 30 days before in the legal section of the local publication.

• Public meeting guidance and template. 

 

Submit all applications and forms using: Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS)

 

3. Plans and specifications

Bid specifications

Owners must submit all bidding and contract documents prior to bid advertisement. Bidding and contract documents must include the SRF required specifications. A copy of the SRF Required Specifications must be requested from the GLU Project Manager. The Project managers must review and verify that required current bid specifications are included prior to any bidding and contract execution.

• SRF design fact sheet.

• Navigating SRF requirements for borrowers.

• The Engineering Section will review each facility in accordance with the design criteria.

 

Cost and effectiveness evaluation

• Cost and effectiveness guidance.

• Cost and effectiveness certification.

 

Bid Specification forms

• AIS Certification.

• AIS Product spreadsheet.

• Davis Bacon certification form.

• US DOL SF 308 - request for wage determination and response to request.

• US DOL SF 1444 - request for authorization of additional class and rate.

• US DOL SF 1445 - labor standards interview.

• US DOL WH 347 - certified payroll.

• DBE Form B (due quarterly).

• EPA 6100-2 DBE subcontractor participation form.

• EPA 6100-3 DBE subcontractor performance form.

• EPA 6100-4 DBE subcontractor utilization form.

 

Self-certification

Owners choosing to self-certify will submit a form with a letter of intent to the division engineer and project manager.

• SRF Drinking water self-certification form.

• SRF Wastewater self-certification form.

• Drinking water construction completion form.

• Wastewater construction completion form.

 

Build America, Buy America 

The Build America, Buy America requirement is new for the SRF and expands upon the existing American Iron & Steel requirements. All new projects are required to meet this new requirement.

• Build America, Buy America Overview

• American Iron and Steel (Old guidance. Ask your GLU Project Manager if this applies to your project)

• American Iron and Steel Requirement guidance (March 20, 2014).

• Guidance with questions and answers for the American Iron and Steel Act.

 

4. Loan application

Application deadlines are: Jan. 5, Feb 5, April 5, June 5, Aug. 5, Oct 5 and Nov. 5.

CDPHE will accept applications once the required steps are completed:

• Pre-qualification form and completed meeting with SRF Agencies.

• Pre-qualification review letter with approval.

• Project Needs Assessment Approval 

• Environmental Review with approval by GLU to move forward with the application.

• Public meeting.

• Plans and specification submission.

 
Submit all applications and forms using: Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS)

 

5. Loan recipients

Once the loan is executed and construction is going to begin, invite your project manager to the pre-construction meeting to answer any questions about the SRF requirements. Loan reimbursements are requested through CEOS. 

 
Bid solicitation and contract review

• Guidance for facilitating pre-construction meeting.

 

Fiscal sustainability plan

• Sustainability plan guidance.

• Sustainability plan certification.

 

Final inspection and project closeout

• Project close-out checklist.

 

Environmental reviews

State environmental review process

• Environmental checklist.

• Environmental assessment template and agency contact list.

• Environmental assessment memorandum.

• Categorical exclusions.

• Findings of No Significant Impact. 

 

State Revolving Fund Grants

The State Revolving Fund (SRF) has two grants to help disadvantaged communities in funding their wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water projects. These are applied to communities and districts that intend to obtain an SRF subsidized loan.

• Defining disadvantaged communities.

• Colorado SRF disadvantaged communities data glossary.

These grants provide money to small communities to help cover costs associated with preparing the SRF project needs assessment. Grants require a 20 percent match from the applicant. Planning grant applicants must complete the pre-qualification form and attend a meeting.

State revolving fund planning grant

Background

Planning grants can assist with costs up to $10,000 associated with the project needs assessment and/or environmental assessment development. This grant is specifically to help with the applications for the SRF loans.

 

Eligibility

• The project is on the current year's project eligibility list, or is being added to the subsequent year’s project eligibility list.

• The population is 10,000 or less.

• Entities meet one of the three data scenarios that test primary factors and, if necessary, secondary factors for determining disadvantaged communities. Factors are found in the Defining Disadvantaged Communities document.

 

Forms

Funds requested to form a special district should be included in the pre-qualification form.

State revolving fund design and engineering grant

Background

Design and engineering grant applicants will be considered with project needs assessment submissions and awarded to disadvantaged communities.

Design and engineering grant amounts depend on the size and need of a project. The grants assist with costs associated with eligible design expenditures. Up to 80 percent of the grant can be reimbursed before receiving the SRF loan application. The final 20 percent will be reimbursed upon SRF loan execution.

 

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a government entity.

• The project is on the current year's project eligibility list.

• The population is 10,000 or less.

• Entities meet one of the three data scenarios that test primary factors, and if necessary secondary factors for determining disadvantaged communities. Factors are found in the defining disadvantaged communities document.

 

Forms

Funds requested to form a special district should be included in the pre-qualification form.