# Colorado

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The NRCS helps private landowners care and make healthy choices for soil, water, air, plants and animal habitats. Much of the Agency's works is accomplished through partnerships, providing technical assistance, and financial assistance through conservation programs within the Farm Bill.

## On This Page

            - Contact Information
            - State Programs and Initiatives
            - How to Get Assistance
            - Related News and Events

### Who we are

For more than 80 years, we have helped people make investments in their operations and local communities to keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture, and improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and habitat.

### What we do

Through one-on-one, personalized advice, we work voluntarily with producers to find the best solutions to meet their unique conservation and business goals. By doing so, we help ensure the health of our natural resources and the long-term sustainability of American agriculture. 

##   Conserving Natural Resources Through Partnerships

The NRCS helps conserve Colorado’s agricultural landscapes and its natural resources one partnership at a time. Learn about Colorado's Local Work Groups, and watch as partners share their experiences.

WATCH VIDEO

## Colorado State and Area Office Contacts

                -    Po Box 25426Denver, CO80225-0426 

State Office Page

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.  

Communications Products, News, Factsheets, Success Stories, and Videos

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

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##   NRCS in Colorado...Helping People Help the Land

Colorado Snow Survey
Colorado Snow Survey Data Collection Office

Land-use Planning and Technical Resources- Colorado
Wildlife and fisheries, biology, conservation compliance, cultural resources, pest and nutrient management, grazing management, agronomy, engineering, plants, people and the resources they use or manage are all consideration ...

Beginning Farmer/Rancher and Historically Underserved Communities - Colorado
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers (“histor...

Small Acreage/Urban Agriculture - Colorado
Colorado's urban agriculture pioneers are taking action in their communities, growing not only fresh, healthy produce, but also providing jobs, beautifying their neighborhoods, and offering access to fresh, healthy food.

Soil and Soil Health - Colorado
America’s vitality is rooted in the soil. Today, private landowners across the country are partnering with NRCS to conserve and improve soil. Additionally, NRCS is also a leader in soil science, playing a pivotal role in clas...

Healthy Forests - Colorado
The Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) helps landowners restore, enhance and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands through easements and financial assistance.

Earth Team Volunteers - Colorado
Since 1985, Earth Team volunteers have provided a valued source of talent to NRCS. These dedicated volunteers work with conservation professionals on private lands to improve soil quality, conserve water, improve air quality ...

Organics - Colorado
The organic initiative provides assistance to help implement conservation practices for organic producers or those transitioning to organic.  The initiative addresses natural resource concerns and helps growers meet requireme...

##   Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) and Planning

CTA is the help NRCS and its partners provide to land users to address natural resource opportunities, concerns, and problems and to help land users make sound natural resource management decisions.

REQUEST A FREE PLAN TODAY

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## State Programs and Initiatives

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - Colorado

EQIP Inflation Reduction Act 

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) - Colorado

CSP Inflation Reduction Act

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - ColoradoDecember 7, 2023 - February 16, 2024

Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) - Colorado

Watershed Programs- Colorado

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program (Disaster Relief) - Colorado

Wildlife Habitat Conservation - Colorado

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## State Payment Schedule

NRCS provides financial assistance for selected conservation practices. The availability and amount of financial assistance can vary between states.

Learn More

## Civil Rights Committee

The National Civil Rights Advisory Committee to the Chief (NCRACC) is designed to provide management officials and employees with counsel and advice to enhance and ensure compliance with their equal employment opportunity and program delivery responsibilities.

Learn More

## State Technical Committee

State Technical Committees serve in an advisory capacity to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the implementation of the natural resources conservation provisions of Farm Bill legislation.

Learn More

##   How to Get Assistance

**Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?**

Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

**Print this information

###         Step 1: Make a Plan    

**To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.**

NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

###         Step 2: Start an Application    

**We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:**
                        - To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.
                        - To meet other eligibility certifications.

Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.

###         Step 3: Check your eligibility    

**As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible. To do this, you’ll need to bring:**
                        - An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)
                        - A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and
                        - A farm number.

If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

###         Step 4: Rank your application    

**NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them** according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State.

###         Step 5: Implement your plan    

**If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.**

Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.

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## Related News and Events

NewsLate-Season Snowstorms Bolster Colorado’s Streamflow Forecasts for Spring 2024April 09, 2024

Success StoryNRCS Supports 2024 Colorado Envirothon CompetitionApril 09, 2024

NewsColorado Open Lands Announces Funding Available for Conservation Projects and EasementsApril 09, 2024

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          -  View More Events