Low-interest loans

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.
Steps for low-interest loans
Apply for eligibility
- 1. Eligibility survey
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State Revolving Fund annual eligibility survey
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The 2024 eligibility survey will be open from May 24, 2023 - June 30, 2023.
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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.
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This survey is the first step in the State Revolving Fund application process.
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The survey is not an application, and completing it does not require that you apply for financial assistance.
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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.
After submitting your forms, check for confirmation that the form was received using the spreadsheet link below.
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- 2. Intended use plans
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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)
2023 Intended use plans (IUP)
Apply for loan
- 1. Prequalification meeting
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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.
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.
Submit all applications and forms using Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS)
- 2. Project needs assessment/environmental determination
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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)
State environmental review process
Public meeting
The public meeting must be properly noticed at least 30 days before in the legal section of the local publication.
Submit all applications and forms using: Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS)
- 3. Plans and specifications
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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.
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The Engineering Section will review each facility in accordance with the design criteria.
Cost and effectiveness evaluation
Bid Specification forms
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US DOL SF 308 - request for wage determination and response to request.
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US DOL SF 1444 - request for authorization of additional class and rate.
Self-certification
Owners choosing to self-certify will submit a form with a letter of intent to the division engineer and project manager.
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.
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American Iron and Steel (Old guidance. Ask your GLU Project Manager if this applies to your project)
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American Iron and Steel Requirement guidance (March 20, 2014).
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Guidance with questions and answers for the American Iron and Steel Act.
- 4. Loan application
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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:
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Pre-qualification form and completed meeting with SRF Agencies.
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Pre-qualification review letter with approval.
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Project Needs Assessment Approval
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Environmental Review with approval by GLU to move forward with the application.
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Public meeting.
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Plans and specification submission.
Submit all applications and forms using: Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS) -
- 5. Loan recipients
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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 reviewFiscal sustainability plan
Final inspection and project closeout
Additional loan information
- Environmental reviews
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State environmental review process
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.
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
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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
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The project is on the current year's project eligibility list, or is being added to the subsequent year’s project eligibility list.
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The population is 10,000 or less.
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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.
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- State revolving fund design and engineering grant
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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
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Applicant must be a government entity.
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The project is on the current year's project eligibility list.
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The population is 10,000 or less.
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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.
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Regulations and fund rules
Green project reserve
Approved green business cases
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Tabernash Meadows Water and Sanitation District green business case.
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Mountain WSD green business case (Drinking Water Revolving Fund project).
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Mountain WSD green business case (Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund project).
SRF documents and information
Disadvantaged communities
Project needs assessment
SRF self-certification form
Environmental forms
Bid specification forms
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Build America, Buy America (BABA) Pay Application Certification.
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Build America, Buy America (BABA) De Minimis Product Tracking Log.
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US DOL SF 308 - Request for wage determination and response to request.
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US DOL SF 1444 - Request for authorization of additional class and rate.
Fiscal sustainability plan
Other forms
Workshops and webinars
SRF outreach and education meetings happen throughout the year. Check back often for one in your area or sign-up on the SRF Grants and loans mailing list.
We partner with the Department of Local Affairs and the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority to conduct statewide workshops.
The workshops covered the State Revolving Fund borrower benefits:
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Grant opportunities.
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Low-interest rates.
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Flexible terms.
NEW developments were also included
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Updated disadvantaged community criteria.
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Overview of CEOS - the online project submittal portal.
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Discharger-specific variances.