Funding Opportunities

Program Update: All Grant Tiers Open

Colorado Circular Communities (C3) is excited for what’s ahead for circularity in Colorado! After a brief pause for parts of the program, all grant tiers are open for application submissions. C3 has recently made key improvements.

Impact Grants are for projects between $50,000 and $500,000. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, but there are three application windows: January-March; April-June; and July-September. If you submit an application during one of these windows, your application will be reviewed at the end of the window. 

Capacity Building Grants are for projects more than $500,000 and remain by invitation only. These projects need to have a significant impact on circularity in Colorado. To save time for potential applicants, a more robust inquiry form is available so you know exactly what C3 is seeking.

Mini Grants are for projects up to $50,000. Applications are continuously open and may be submitted directly through the website.

C3 wants to make sure potential applicants have information and tools needed to apply. To this end, all grant guidelines have been updated to reflect updates. Answers to some questions about the changes are posted online.

There are no changes to the Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector (STEPS) program for local governments, tribes, and public K-12 school districts.

It is critical for all applications to align with the C3 Strategic Plan. Applicants must be able to explain precisely how a project meets the Strategic Plan’s goals and strategies, including expanding access and increasing capacity within the State of Colorado’s circular economy.

Please review eligibility requirements and grant guidelines before submitting an application or inquiry.

Producer Responsibility Program

Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, is a program established with Colorado House Bill 22-1355 that makes producers of packaging and paper products responsible for the recycling of their materials. The State of Colorado appointed Circular Action Alliance (CAA) as the designated Producer Responsibility Organization. 
Starting in 2026, Circular Action Alliance (CAA) Colorado will begin to reimburse costs for recycling services, help expand recycling access, upgrade Colorado’s recycling infrastructure and educate the public on how to recycle. Eligible and participating entities must register during registration windows set by CAA in order to receive reimbursement. If you have questions about EPR, please contact CAA directly.

Who Can Apply

  • Local Governments

  • Tribes

  • Nonprofit Organizations

  • For-Profit Organizations

  • Institutions of Higher Education

  • Public & Private Schools

General Eligibility and Requirements

To qualify for C3 funding opportunities, projects must promote a circular economy, defined as an economy that: 

  • Uses a systems-focused approach that involves industrial processes and economic activities that are restorative or regenerative by design

  • Enables resources used in industrial processes and economic activities to maintain their highest value for as long as possible

  • Aims to eliminate waste through the superior design of materials, products, and processes, including  business models

Circular economy projects include waste aversion and diversion efforts, accomplished through sustainable design, remanufacturing, distribution/market development, source reduction, reuse, repair, recovery, collection, recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, or biochar production.

All applicants are limited to one Colorado Circular Communities funding award per calendar year.

Eligible and ineligible expenses are detailed in each set of guidelines. Any funds spent before full execution of an agreement are not eligible for reimbursement.

All applicants must

  • Be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State

  • Be in operation for a minimum of one (1) year. This will be verified through the Colorado Secretary of State. 

  • Maintain good standing with all regulatory programs, including CDPHE, EPA, and OSHA

  • Be in good standing with the Colorado Department of Revenue

  • Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local permitting, zoning, and code requirements

  • Be prepared to make purchases upfront and be reimbursed once contract requirements are met. Only expenses incurred after the contract is fully executed are eligible for reimbursement

When submitting an application for a C3 grant, applicants agree to adhere to the state’s terms and conditions. Terms and conditions of the agreements will not be altered. Inability to agree to terms and conditions will disqualify entities for funding. We encourage prospective grant applicants to carefully review the agreement language before initiating the application process. 

For awards with government entities: C3 Intergovernmental Agreement Template

What to Expect When Applying

For consideration, applicants must demonstrate how their project aligns with the goals in the C3 Strategic Plan by expanding access to and growing Colorado’s circular economy. Applicants should describe in detail the impact their project will have on a particular community or communities. Applications that include specifics, rather than broad generalities, will move more quickly through the application process. 

In addition to describing how it meets the goals of the C3 Strategic Plan, a successful application will:

  • Demonstrate that all permitting, certification, and local rules and land use requirements have been researched, by providing a current status of any applications or requirements that are in process

  • Present a correct and clear budget request accompanied by recent vendor quotes, preferably within the past six months, for each requested item

  • Include a realistic and manageable project timeline

It is C3’s expectation that once the grant contract is executed, project work will begin immediately.

Application Timelines

Each potential C3 grant project is unique, and requires its own timeframe to work through the application process. Every grant application is reviewed by the C3 team. Successful Impact and Capacity Building grant applications are recommended to the board of directors for final approval. Timelines are subject to change based on evolving priorities of the C3 program. 

Mini Grant Applications: Applicants should plan for a minimum of six months from application submission to contract execution, if awarded. Decisions are typically issued within 90 days from application submission. For guidelines and details, visit the Mini Grant page.

Capacity Building Applications: Capacity Building applications can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months or longer to finalize. In some cases, once the project is ready to be recommended to the board, it will take a minimum of two board meetings to come to a decision (60 days). For guidelines and details, visit the Capacity Building Grant page.

Impact Grant Applications: Applications are always open, however there are three application cycles in 2026 to provide a structured review timeline: January-March; April-June; and July-September. An application submitted during one of these windows will be reviewed at the end of the window. For guidelines and details, visit the Impact Grant page.

Please note: C3 grants are not intended for urgent or emergency situations. Entities may only be awarded one C3 grant each calendar year.

How Applications are Prioritized

Projects that are anticipated to create greater outcomes related to C3 goals will take precedence. Please keep in mind that program resources are limited and not every application will be awarded, even if it is well-prepared. 

C3 program priorities are dynamic and may fluctuate based on variables such as available funding, commodity markets, previously funded projects, and other related variables. Potential projects are scored with a point system based on defined criteria. The rubric for scoring can be found in the guidelines for each grant type.

Funding and payment

All C3 grant recipients must enter into a contract. Grant funds are reimbursement-based. Grantees cover costs upfront, and are then repaid once contract requirements are met and deliverables are completed. Only expenses incurred after the contract is fully executed are eligible for reimbursement.

C3 provides three tiers of funding based on the project’s budget, scope of work, and anticipated effect on building a circular economy in the state. Each tier has specific guidelines and project timelines also vary.

Funding Inquiry

To ask questions about C3’s funding opportunities, please submit an inquiry form.

If you are requesting information for a Mini Grant or Impact Grant, applications are open, and our team can only provide technical assistance. We cannot assist in writing your application, and submitting this form will not influence application review.

If you are requesting information for a Capacity Building Grant, applications are by invitation-only and filling out this form does not guarantee you will receive an invitation to apply.

Our team will review your inquiry and follow up within 10 business days of your request.

Submit a Funding Inquiry