By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News/Blizzard Broadcasting.

Courtesy photo — Grant recipient from the 2024 cycle, Trout Unlimited, shares bank stabilization and riparian habitat planting on the Yampa River downstream of Steamboat Springs on the Flanders Ranch.

 

The Yampa River Fund has announced they are accepting grant applications starting Tuesday, Feb. 17. The fund has $267,022 available for grants this year. Projects considered for funding need to enhance water security in communities throughout the Yampa Valley, and help support a healthy, flowing river. The deadline to apply is April 1. More information is at YampaRiverFund.org/grants.

 

Press Release from Friends of the Yampa; Feb. 15, 2026.

Yampa River Fund announces its 2026 grant cycle

Applicants have until April 1, 2026, to apply

 

The Yampa River Fund is excited to announce the availability of $267,022 for grants in 2026. Applications will be accepted from Feb. 17 to April 1.

The Yampa River Fund is a community-based collaboration dedicated to identifying and funding activities that protect the water supply, aquatic habitat and multibeneficial opportunities provided by the Yampa River. Launched in September 2019, the River Fund was created through a partnership of 21 public, private and nonprofit entities representing the entire Yampa River Basin coming together to create the board that governs the fund.

“We are now in our seventh year, and we are excited to continue funding river projects that make an impact,” said Mike Robertson, Yampa River Fund manager. “It is obvious to everyone this year that water security is not guaranteed; annual funding from the Yampa River Fund helps every year, but it is especially impactful during these low snowpack years.”

The Yampa River Fund invests in conservation and restoration activities that positively impact Yampa River flows and support natural resource-based livelihoods, including agriculture and recreation, throughout the basin. It also works to ensure that a healthy, flowing Yampa River remains the thriving center of our communities for generations to come.

 

Projects that are prioritized for funding will:

• Enhance water security for communities, agriculture, the economy and the natural environment in the Yampa Valley.
• Support a healthy, flowing river and enhance critical low flows through water leases from reservoirs.
• Maintain or improve river function through a holistic approach to restoration of riparian and/or in-channel habitat.

The Yampa River Fund Steering Committee will make its funding award decisions by mid-May.

Eligible applicants include state and local government entities, public districts and irrigation entities, mutual ditch companies, homeowners’ associations and nonprofits. Private landowners should partner with one of these entities to submit a grant application. Technical support is available to help applicants develop grant proposals. Contact mike@friendsoftheyampa.com for more information.

The Yampa River Fund Grant application and guidelines can be found at YampaRiverFund.org/grants. Past projects can be reviewed at YampaRiverFund.org/projects1. The Yampa River Fund is a Designated Endowment Fund of the Yampa Valley Community Foundation.

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