Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) is an intergovernmental agreement between Moffat and Routt Counties and seven other communities to collaborate on regional economic development. NWCDC's mission is to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, economic prosperity, and diversification through sustainable, community-led development.
NWCDC established a 501c3 rural development hub called Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC) to serve as its official fiscal agent. NCIC's mission is to support entrepreneurs, small businesses, and workers in the tri-county region of Northwest Colorado. Through business coaching, incubation, workforce training, and its Northwest Catalyst Capital microloan fund, NCIC helps launch and grow businesses that drive regional prosperity.
Regional Collaboration is Delivering Results
The Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) and Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC) were founded on the belief that our communities are stronger when we work together. That vision is becoming a reality as communities across Northwest Colorado see economic momentum, new investments, and improved quality of life.
In Moffat County, Craig is developing the Craig Business & Industry Park, moving from master planning to design and engineering. The Craig River Park held a grand opening - the culmination of six years of hard work. Moffat County's Multi-use Events and Resiliency Center, a major catalyst to help the County diversify its economy and attract new visitors to the community, continues to move forward.
In Rio Blanco County, Rangely celebrated the opening of River’s Edge East, a new boat ramp located near Camper Park, which grows the community's outdoor recreation tourism sector. The White River Enhancement Project and the growth of Pioneer Medical Center continue to strengthen outdoor recreation, healthcare, and community vitality in Meeker.
In Routt County, Hayden is experiencing significant growth as Amazon and other tenants locate in the Northwest Colorado Business Park. Additionally, the Town secured new funding for the Hayden Accelerator, which will support entrepreneurs and small business development. Meanwhile, the expansion of the Yampa Valley Regional Airport terminal and planning for the Aviation Business Park are positioning the region for future aviation and aerospace opportunities. South Routt Medical Center in Oak Creek is moving toward the construction phase of its building expansion to enhance patient care.
These latest projects demonstrate the power of regionalism. Great things are happening across Northwest Colorado because we are working together to build a stronger regional economy and a brighter future for all.
Investing in Craig's Outdoor Recreational Tourism
The grand opening of the new Craig River Park represents a transformational investment in Craig's future, reconnecting the community with the Yampa River while creating one of Northwest Colorado's premier outdoor recreation destinations. Developed through years of planning and collaboration among the City of Craig, Moffat County, state and federal partners, nonprofits, businesses, and residents, the multi-phase project includes whitewater play features, improved boat access, walking trails, nature-based play areas, gathering spaces, ecological restoration, and ADA-accessible amenities. More than a recreational asset, the park enhances quality of life, attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and strengthens Craig's appeal as a place to live, work, and invest.
As Northwest Colorado continues its economic transition, Craig River Park demonstrates how strategic investments in outdoor recreation can help diversify the local economy while preserving the region's natural heritage. The park provides new opportunities for kayaking, fishing, tubing, community events, and family recreation, creating a vibrant gathering place along Colorado's last free-flowing river. It stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished through collaboration and a shared vision for building a stronger, more resilient future.
Partners in the Outdoors Grant Program
The Partners in the Outdoors Grant Program, administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, supports collaborative projects that advance sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation throughout Colorado.
The program funds partnership-based initiatives that expand outdoor access, promote stewardship, conserve natural and cultural resources, and strengthen community engagement. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for eligible projects.
This grant opportunity is available to all organizations who do projects and programming at a local, regional, and/or statewide scale in Colorado including non-profit organizations, Tribes, school districts, and government entities. Matching funds are not required, but they are strongly recommended. Applications are due July 17, 2026. Learn more>
DOLA Housing Planning Grant
The DOLA Housing Planning Grant Program provides funding to help Colorado communities address local housing challenges through Housing Needs Assessments, Housing Action Plans, and Comprehensive Plan Elements, including strategic growth and water supply planning.
The program is designed to help local governments develop data-driven housing strategies that support long-term community growth, affordability, and resilience.
The next funding cycle is open July 13–August 17, 2026. An informational session will be held on July 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Learn more>
FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure
and Communities
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program provides funding to help communities reduce disaster risk through mitigation planning and resilient infrastructure projects.
The program supports projects that strengthen community resilience against natural hazards, reduce future disaster costs, and improve public safety through proactive infrastructure investments. BRIC empowers states, local governments, Tribal Nations, and territories to make smart investments in resilient infrastructure. By supporting pre-disaster and hazard mitigation projects such as school safe rooms, utility hardening, relocating critical facilities out of flood areas, and securing pump stations.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the 120-day application period and are due July 23, 2026. Learn more>
WaterSMART Drought Response Program
The WaterSMART Drought Response Program provides funding to help communities prepare for and respond to drought by improving water supply reliability and increasing long-term water resilience.
Eligible projects may include drought contingency planning, water management improvements, and infrastructure investments that help communities reduce the impacts of drought while supporting sustainable water use. The applications deadline is July 28, 2026. Learn more>
Funding Opportunity for Homeownership
Scattered-Site Programs
Administered by the Colorado Division of Housing, the Homeownership Scattered-Site Program supports the development of affordable homeownership opportunities throughout Colorado by funding the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of homes within existing neighborhoods.
The program promotes long-term housing stability, wealth building, and community development by supporting locally driven housing projects that expand access to affordable homeownership. The program focuses on acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing individual homes integrated within existing neighborhoods, rather than large single-site developments and is designed to help organizations advance feasible, community-based housing projects that respond to local market needs.
Applications are due July 30, 2026. Please see link for more information.Learn more>
Technical Assistance Programs
Colorado Resiliency Framework
Developed by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the Colorado Resiliency Framework is a technical assistance resource designed to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, economic disruptions, and other long-term challenges.
The framework provides local governments, organizations, and community leaders with planning tools, best practices, and resources to strengthen economic resilience, improve disaster preparedness, and support sustainable recovery efforts. Learn more>
OEDIT Data Center Guide FAQ
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade created the Data Center Guide FAQ, a technical assistance resource that helps local governments understand the opportunities and considerations associated with data center development.
The guide answers frequently asked questions about infrastructure needs, energy and water use, economic impacts, workforce considerations, and local planning to help communities make informed decisions when evaluating potential data center projects. Learn more>
Grant Database, Resources, Tools, and Tips
Watch a short tutorial by clicking on the photo above, which walks you through the grant resources found on the www.northwestcolorado.org website. NWCDC developed a full complement of resources to help you find and write an effective grant. Learn how to navigate the grants database, access the grants toolkit for templated content, join the monthly Grants Workgroup to hear from funders, or hire a professional grant writer from our Grants Collective. More about these resources at the bottom of this newsletter. Click on the thumbnail above or this link.
Grants Database and Other Grants Resources
To help our communities identify grants to support their initiatives, NWCDC hosts links to numerous federal, state, and regional grants databases on the NWCDC website.
Grants Toolkit
In an effort to make grant writing as painless as possible, NWCDC has created a Grants Toolkit, which includes templated responses for the most often asked grant questions, as well as data sources. Browse the Grants Toolkit for core language and other resources.
Northwest Colorado Grants Collective
Looking for more support? The Northwest Colorado Grants Collective is a partnership with the Northwest Colorado Development Council and the Yampa Valley Community Foundation to create a list of grant professionals to increase grant writing and management capacity for regional nonprofits, local governments, and businesses interested in hiring grant writers to support developing proposals for federal, state, and local grants. Check out the Grants Collective
You are receiving this email newsletter from the Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) because you are a member or a partner or have signed up for more information. The NWCDC is an intergovernmental agreement between Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties and their seven communities to collaborate on regional economic development.
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