Our Challenge
A Shared Resource. A Shared Responsibility.
Like rivers across the West, the Cache La Poudre faces increasing pressure—from growth, changing climate conditions, competing demands, and aging infrastructure.These challenges are complex.And no single organization, sector, or solution can address them alone. What the river needs is thoughtful care, long-term vision, and a community willing to work together.Development Timeline
We Are Here!
Phase I: Raising for the River!
(we are here)
The Poudre River Fund is currently in fundraising mode as we build up the fund balance for future investment capabilities. This is where you come in. We need contributions of all sizes to help us solidify the founding momentum for the Fund. Individual donors, municipal partners, Foundation contributions, and business sponsorships are all an important part of this equation.
For the future of water security and health riverscapes that flow through our community, we must all be River Stewards.
Phase II: Investments with Community Values
Once the Fund reaches its maturity point, an annual RFP will be released to solicit for projects that align with the Fund’s goals. The Steering Committee will initiate a grantmaking process, tracking impact and progress against metrics established by the board of community partners. This phase of the Fund’s maturity is expected to be reached after 2028. More information on the grantmaking opportunities will be announced as we get closer to the Fund maturity timeline.
Steering Committee
Our Steering committee is a collection of great minds from diverse sectors of our Northern Colorado community, helping to build a more resilient and strategic plan for the Poudre River. The role of the interim steering committee is to help build the governance structure for the Poudre River Fund, and develop project criteria for future re-granting priorities.
Alex Castino – Great Outdoors Colorado
Bill Emslie – NCWCD Municipal Subdistrict
Carmen Farmer – Colorado Open Lands
Cary Weiner – Larimer County Extension
Daylan Figgs – Larimer County Natural Resources
Emily Hunt – City of Thornton
Eric Westlind – Water Storage & Supply Company
Esther Vincent – Northern Water
Gretchen Reuning – Larimer Conservation District
Hally Strevey – Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed
Hannah Casey – Bohemian Foundation
Poudre River Fund Interim Steering Committee:
(in alphabetical order)
Jennifer Gooden – Biophilia Foundation
Jill Oropeza – City of Fort Collins
Julia Fedder – City of Fort Collins
Kate Ryan – Colorado Water Trust
Kelen Dowdy – City of Greeley
Kyle Johnson – Rocky Mountain Adventures
Meghan Oleson – New Belgium Brewing
Nizhoni Valdez – First Peoples Community Center
Randy Gustofson – City of Greeley
Shayna Jones – National Forest Foundation
Wade Willis – Town of Windsor
FAQ: PRIF vs. PRF
You may have heard of the Poudre River Improvement Fund (PRIF), which is part of a settlement between Northern Water and Save The Poudre surrounding the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) in Northern Colorado. These two funds originated around the same time period, they are not the same, but they do compliment each other.
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PRIF: NISP and Save The Poudre settlement funds
PRF: Community-driven with support from Mighty Arrow Family Foundation
What is the origin of each fund?
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Who can contribute to each fund?
PRIF: NoCo Foundation
PRF: NoCo Foundation
Who is the Financial Management Partner?
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PRIF: Munroe Water Diversion down to the confluence with the South Platte River
PRF: The entire watershed, from the top of the divide in the headwaters down to the confluence with the South Platte River, including the North Fork of the Poudre River
What is the geographic scope for each fund?
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What is the funding timeline for each fund? When will funds start to be distributed?
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PRIF: Initial grants/funding distribution is still TBD. Settlement calls for distributions based on key milestones (ie. permitting completed, construction completed, etc.) and then annual distributions will continue until $100M is reached. Likely 20-year timeframe. $5M available currently.
PRF: Multi-decade, multi-generational timeline, intended to support the river in perpetuity with grants being distributed on an annual basis starting in 2029.
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What are the funding priorities for each fund? What type of projects qualify for grants?
PRIF: Settlement parameters are broad to include projects that improve on the following:
Aquatic habitat
Riparian habitat
Water quality
Water flows
Boating and recreation
PRF: There are five goals, including:
Enhanced flows
Riparian restoration and habitat
Healthy forests and wildfire risk reduction
innovative agriculture connected to water quality or quantity
Community connections to the river through recreation, economic opportunity, and human well-being
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What is the process like to apply for grants from each fund?
Who maintains governance of the fund and has decision making authority?
PRIF: There will likely be a letter of interest and then an application process. Date of initiation TBD.
PRF: Starting in 2029 there will be an RFP released annually at the start of each second quarter with instructions and guidelines on how to apply. Check back to this website for more information on grantmaking starting in 2029.
PRIF: The PRIF Committee, which is made up of 3 designees from Northern Water and 3 designees from Save The Poudre
PRF: The Poudre River Fund Board of Directors, which is a 21 member group representing 6 stakeholder categories, including agriculture, business, community at-large, environment, recreation, and water utilities
PRIF: Northern Water at various milestones related to construction and operation of Glade Reservoir. For specific projects championed by the PRIF there will be opportunities to provide matching dollars to those projects. Matching funds cannot go directly into the PRIF, but NoCo Foundation can receive matching dollars for specific projects in a separate fund.
PRF: The following individuals and entities can make charitable contributions to the PRF:
Individual Donors and Families
Philanthropic Foundations
Businesses
Municipalities
Other partners