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State Revolving Fund loan information

Low-interest loans

Construction equipment digging in a dirt pit alongside a new cement retaining wall

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 that are 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.

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

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.

2023 Intended Use Plans (IUP) 

2022 Intended Use Plans (IUP)

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 the submittal of the short pre-qualification form, project managers will schedule a pre-qualification meeting to discuss the next steps in the SRF loan process with applicants. 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

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
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.

 

Cost and effectiveness evaluation

 

Bid Specification forms

 

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.

 

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

 

Fiscal sustainability plan

 

Final inspection and project closeout

 

Additional loan information

Environmental reviews
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
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 the SRF loan application is received. 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.

 

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:

  • Grant opportunities.

  • Low-interest rates.

  • Flexible terms.

NEW developments were also included:

  • Updated disadvantaged community criteria.

  • Overview of CEOS - the online project submittal portal.

  • Discharger-specific variances.

SRF 101 webinar recordings and slides
Previous workshop presentations