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Colorado Parks and Wildlife Opens 2026 “Fishing Is Fun” Grants to Improve Public Angling Access and Habitat Statewide
Description: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is accepting 2026 Fishing Is Fun grant applications to fund projects that improve angling access and habitat across Colorado.
Fishing is Fun grants available for projects that improve angling opportunities in Colorado
DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is excited to announce the 2026 round of funding opportunities for the Fishing is Fun Grant Program. The goal of this program is to provide funding to projects that expand fishing access across the state and provide more angling opportunities. CPW awards up to $650,000 in Fishing is Fun grants annually.
The Fishing is Fun program supports projects such as stream and river habitat improvements, access improvements, perpetual easements for public access, pond and lake habitat improvements, fish retention structures, development of new fishing ponds and amenity improvements such as shade shelters, benches and restrooms.
Recent projects include: new public fishing areas, in-stream work to improve fish habitat, ADA-compliant fishing piers, shade structures and restrooms, diversion structures to allow migration and spawning, perpetual access easements to protect angling opportunities, aerators and boat ramps.
This program provides matching grant funds annually to local and county governments, park and recreation departments, water districts, angling organizations and others for projects to improve angling opportunities in Colorado.
“CPW is always looking to empower partners to take steps to increase or improve fishing access,” said CPW Grant Manager Travis Long. “For nearly 40 years, the Fishing is Fun program has supported 375 angling improvement projects across the state, from the smallest towns on the Eastern Plains and the West Slope to the largest cities along the Front Range.”
A fillable application form and additional program information can be found at: cpw.state.co.us/fishing-fun-grants. The completed application form must be submitted by Jan. 9, 2026.
Contact CPW Grant Manager Travis Long at travis.long@state.co.us with additional questions about eligibility, program guidelines and any other related questions.
