Funding Opportunities

Program Overview

The Colorado Circular Communities (C3) program, authorized by HB24-1449, provides grants funded by a fee on solid waste disposed of in Colorado landfills. Previously, these fees were collected under the Front Range Waste Diversion (FRWD) and Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) programs. To date, these programs have awarded over $43 million in grants, and the C3 program is committed to continuing this support.

C3 funding opportunities are available on an ongoing basis. Project types can vary widely but must request goods and services that contribute to the advancement of a circular economy in Colorado.

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 for each requested item; and

  • 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 timeline

Applications are generally accepted on an ongoing basis. This means that there are no deadlines for submitting a grant application. Instead, applications are received and reviewed year-round.

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. The processing time for evaluating each project varies based on the type of grant, the project details, and the scope of the project.

C3 grants are not intended for urgent or emergency situations.

How applications are prioritized

Projects will be funded based on the current priorities of the C3 team and board. Requests that address higher priority C3 strategic goals and activities will be funded before other projects.

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. Only expenses incurred after the contract is fully executed are eligible for reimbursement. Grantees must pay for grant-funded expenses in advance. Reimbursements are paid based on the requirements and deliverables in each specific contract.

General Eligibility

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, and;

  • 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 (1) Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise funding award per calendar year.

With the exception of anaerobic digestion and biochar production, no portion of the waste-to-energy process is eligible for funding. Projects utilizing technologies such as mass burn, gasification, pyrolysis (outside of biochar), plasma arc, and other thermal technologies are not eligible for C3 funding.

Any funds spent before full execution of an agreement are not eligible for reimbursement. Financed vehicles, equipment or supplies funded by a loan where the awardee does not hold the title or rights to the item are not eligible for reimbursement.

Who Can Apply

  • Local Governments

  • Tribes

  • Nonprofit Organizations

  • For-Profit Organizations

  • Institutions of Higher Education

  • Public & Private Schools

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be registered and in good standing with 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.

All applicants will be required to:

  • Submit a W9.

  • Submit an electronic funds transfer application (if preferred).

  • Submit a certificate of insurance meeting minimum requirements (for awards over $10k, for-profit and nonprofits only) within 15 calendar days of receiving an award.

  • Enter into an agreement with the C3 Enterprise. 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.

Grant Funding Opportunities

Available on an ongoing basis.

Mini Grants

Available Year-Round

  • Awards up to $50,000.

  • Contract term of no more than six months.

  • Eligible expenses include but are not limited to: equipment and supplies, signage, outreach/education, event space fees, event marketing/promotion, repairs, and contractual labor expenses.

  • Operating expenses for existing programs and services are not eligible for this funding opportunity.

Application Process:

  • Watch the Pre-Application Video - You will be required to confirm that you have watched the recorded pre-application video in order to apply.

  • Review the Mini Grant Guidelines - Read through the entire grant manual to learn about the details of the grant opportunity prior to applying.

  • Submit Your Application – Applications are always open, and available on a rolling basis. Submit your application when you are ready to apply. Please note that applicants are limited to one C3 grant award per calendar year.

Note: For application submission support, including: application portal navigation (e.g., logging in, registering), assistance with file uploads, system errors, or submission failures, please contact c3.grantmanagement@state.co.us. Support for grant writing, compliance, completeness, etc. is not available.

Application Requirements:

  • Project Details

  • Vendor quotes

Impact Grants

Available Year-Round

  • Awards between $50,000-$250,000.

  • Contract term of no more than 18 months.

  • Eligible expenses include but are not limited to: staffing, supplies and equipment, contractual costs, infrastructure, marketing and communications, project planning, policy research and development, community engagement, and outreach/education.

  • Ineligible Expenses include leases or rent for real property, travel, subscriptions, memberships, scholarships, activities outside of Colorado, lobbying, and fundraising events.

Note: The following expenses are eligible only for private sector entities: marketing and communications, project planning, policy research and development, community engagement, and outreach/education. Public sector entities seeking support for these services are encouraged to explore the STEPS program.

Application Process:

  • Watch the Pre-Application Video - You will be required to confirm that you have watched the recorded pre-application video in order to apply.

  • Review the Impact Grant Guidelines - Read through the entire grant manual to learn about the details of the grant opportunity prior to applying.

  • Submit Your Application – Applications are always open, and available on a rolling basis. Submit your application when you are ready to apply! Please note that applicants are limited to one C3 grant award per calendar year.

Note: For application submission support, including: application portal navigation (e.g., logging in, registering), assistance with file uploads, system errors, or submission failures, please contact c3.grantmanagement@state.co.us. Support for grant writing, compliance, completeness, etc. is not available.

Application Requirements:

  • Project details

  • Work plan

  • Project budget

  • Vendor quote(s)

  • Resume(s) for key project staff and/or mission statement for key project partners

  • Previous fiscal year financial statements

  • Subcontractor commitments (if applicable)

  • A letter of commitment from leadership (required for education and government)

  • Annual report (optional)

  • Letters of support (optional)

Capacity Building Grants

Available Year-Round (by invitation only)

  • For requests over $250,000.

  • For large, catalytic projects with significant impact on the circular economy in Colorado.

  • Must meet one or more of C3’s strategic goals.

  • By invitation-only.

How to Apply:

  • Submit Your Application – Only invited applicants will be provided a link to apply. The OTA unit will work with the applicant to develop a project proposal including work plan and budget to be presented to the C3 Board of Directors.