More Than $2 Million Invested in Moffat County Conservation and Working Lands

The Colorado First Conservation District has reached a major milestone in its effort to conserve Greater Sage-grouse habitat while supporting northwest Colorado's working agricultural lands. In January 2025, the district announced that funding was awarded for a 5-year, $3.26 million grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Fund. This funding supports critical conservation projects aimed at protecting and enhancing sagebrush habitat on private lands for Greater Sage-grouse and other wildlife throughout northwest Colorado.

To date, the district has approved more than $2 million in voluntary conservation projects, improving over 28,600 acres of private rangeland and coordinating another 2,088 acres of adjacent public lands. Moffat County is home to approximately 70% of Colorado's remaining Greater Sage-grouse population, making our community a critical center of sage-grouse conservation in the state. Because so much of the species' habitat exists here, conservation investments in Moffat County provide some of the greatest benefits for this iconic species.

But this investment is about much more than sage-grouse.

Healthy sagebrush rangelands support more than 350 species of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, pronghorn, songbirds, raptors, pollinators, and countless other native animal and plant species. They also provide world-class hunting, recreation, livestock grazing, and the wide-open landscapes that define northwest Colorado. Restoring healthy native rangelands benefits everything that depends on the sagebrush ecosystem. Projects funded through the program improve habitat while making working ranches more resilient to drought and wildfire.

And it's not only the land that is benefiting. The investment is also delivering significant economic benefits right here in Moffat County. Conservation dollars stay in northwest Colorado by hiring local contractors, applicators, suppliers, equipment operators, small businesses, project staff and other local vendors.

To some, the vast sagebrush country in Moffat County may look like useless empty space, but it's one of Colorado's richest working landscapes. Healthy sagebrush habitat supports thriving wildlife, productive working lands, vibrant rural communities, and the outdoor recreation economy that helps define northwest Colorado.

"This work isn't just about one species," said Kacey Green, District Manager for the Colorado First Conservation District. "It's about investing in the landscapes that sustain wildlife, ranching, hunting, recreation, and our local economy. When we invest here, we're investing in the future of Moffat County, and the benefits reach far beyond the bird."

In addition to the Sage-grouse Habitat Program, the Colorado First Conservation District offers other conservation technical assistance, education and funding opportunities for local producers, including a recent grant that delivered $25,000 in drought relief to help agricultural operations implement practical solutions to improve drought resilience. Together, these programs provide local landowners with additional resources to improve the productivity and sustainability of their agriculture and hunting operations.

With additional projects already in development, the district continues to demonstrate that voluntary, locally led conservation is one of the best investments that can be made in the future of northwest Colorado.

For more information about this program and other conservation funding opportunities available through the Colorado First Conservation District, visit www.coloradofirstcd.org.

 

The Colorado First Conservation District is pleased to announce the availability of Emergency Drought Mitigation Cost-Share Funding for agricultural producers in Moffat County.

Eligible producers may receive reimbursement of up to $2,500 per project with a required 1:1 producer match of at least $2,500.

The program's primary focus is addressing immediate drought impacts affecting agricultural operations. Priority will be given to projects that provide direct and timely drought relief, such as livestock water development, water distribution improvements, emergency water hauling infrastructure, and other urgent drought mitigation needs.

The District also recognizes the importance of preparing for future drought conditions. Long-term drought resilience projects will be considered as funding allows and may include grazing management improvements, cross-fencing, soil health practices, forage enhancement, range restoration, and water conservation infrastructure.

Funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible projects that demonstrate meaningful drought mitigation benefits.

Program Guidelines:
• All applications must be submitted prior to project implementation and will be reviewed by the Colorado First Conservation District Board of Supervisors during a public board meeting.
• The next application review date is July 14, 2026.
• Funding decisions will be made through board discussion and vote.
• Reimbursement will be issued only after project completion and submission of required documentation.
• Itemized receipts and proof of payment are required for reimbursement.
• Reimbursement rates for equipment, labor, and other eligible expenses will be based on published Colorado State University Custom Rate Guides and District-approved cost-share rates.
• The District reserves the right to approve, deny, or modify funding requests based on project eligibility, available funding, and anticipated drought mitigation benefits.

Contact coloradofirstcd@yahoo.com via email for application. 

 

NOTICE OF BUDGET

Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has

been submitted to the Colorado First Conservation

District for the ensuing year of 2026. A copy of

such proposed budget has been filed in the office of

the Colorado First Conservation District, where the

same is open for public inspection.

Any interested elector of the Colorado First

Conservation District may inspect the proposed

budget and the file or register any objections thereto

at any time prior to the final submission of the budget."

Notice of Cancellation of Election: 

2025 SD-12 Cancellation of election and declaration of candidates.pdf