Other Related Programs
There are additional recycling and diversion related programs that may be applicable to FRWD grant and technical assistance applicants.
Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO)
The Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) Program provides grant funding to Colorado communities, schools and educational institutions and for-profit and nonprofit entities to support recycling, compost, anaerobic digestion, source reduction and beneficial use/reuse. The FRWD and RREO grants are similar however, FRWD grants are only available to Front Range communities and businesses while RREO grants are available statewide. The table below provides a comparison between the two programs.
More information about RREO grants can be found here.
| RREO | FRWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Area Covered | Statewide – all 64 counties | 13 Front Range counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Jefferson, Larimer, Pueblo, Teller, Weld |
| Oversight | CDPHE and Pollution Prevention Advisory Board (PPAB),in consultation with Assistance Committee (PPABAC) | FRWD Board of Directors |
| Funding Source | Landfill user fee at landfills statewide | Landfill user fee at Front Range area landfills only |
| Past Available Funding | $4.2 million in FY21, $4.2 million in FY22 | $5 million in 2021, $10 million in 2022 |
| Past Funding Opportunities: Grant Requests for Applications (RFAs) and Rebates | Colorado Waste Diversion Grants: ● RFA published in Jan. 2021: ~$2.5 million ● RFA published in Jan. 2022: ~$2.5 million ● RFA published in Nov. 2022 ~ 2.5 million Mini-grants for projects under $25,000 ● RFA published July 2021: ~$500,000 Rebates for free public drop-off centers: ● Applications published April 2021: ~$500,000 ● Applications published April 2022: ~$500,000 | Front Range Community Zero Waste grants: every 8 months (estimated cadence) ● RFA published June 2020: ~$2.5 million ● RFA published May 2021: ~$3.5 million ● RFA published Jan. 2022: ~$4.5 million ● RFA published Oct. 2022: ~$4 million Special-focus grants: every 8 months (estimated cadence) ● RFA published Jan. 2021: ~$2.5 million focused on construction and demolition waste ● RFA published Oct. 2021: ~$5 million focused on organics infrastructure ● RFA published June 2022: ~$4 million, broad focus |
Circular Economy Development Center (CEDC)
The Circular Economy Development Center was established by the Colorado state legislature via HB22-1159 to grow existing markets, create new markets, and provide necessary infrastructure, systems, logistics, and marketing to create a sustainable circular economy for recycled commodities in Colorado. The CEDC is funded through two programs housed at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: the Front Range Waste Diversion Program (C.R.S. 25-16.5-111) and the Resource Recycling Economic Opportunity Program (C.R.S. 25-16.5-106.5).
Learn more about the CEDC here.
NextCycle Colorado
NextCycle Colorado is a business accelerator that challenges businesses, organizations, non-profits, universities, and entrepreneurs to pursue innovative projects that will develop new, or improve existing, recycling and composting end markets in the state. While NextCycle does not provide any funding, the program provides free technical and business assistance. NextCycle helps teams develop their business plans, make connections across the state, find partners, understand industry and economic data, identify feedstock, secure funding, and drive toward shovel-ready projects under the guidance of an expert advisory committee. Since 2018, NextCycle has managed three cohorts and supported 24 teams, all with the potential to bolster Colorado’s recycling end markets. Of those teams, seven have been approved for RREO funding to grow their businesses in the state.
Learn more about the NextCycle Colorado program here.