The Chaffee County’s Common Ground program

Chaffee County Community Foundation is honored to partner with Chaffee County and the Chaffee County Citizens Advisory Committee to administer the Chaffee County Common Ground Program funds.

Visit www.chaffeecounty.org For more information on the Chaffee County Common Ground Program, Funding History and the Citizen Advisory Committee.

Program Goals:

  • Strengthening forest health and reducing wildfire danger 

  • Conserving and supporting agricultural lands and rural landscapes

  • Managing the impacts of growth 

Funding opportunities encompass projects and planning work. Questions about the application process? Contact CCCF at grants@chaffeecommunity.org or call 719-204-5071

The 2025 Competitive Grant Program is closed. Details on awarded funds can be found here. For full details on the 2025 Competitive Grant process, visit our Grantmaking History page here.

January 2026 Chaffee Common Ground Update

2027 Competitive Grant Cycle Application Period Coming Fall of 2026

With 2026 upon us, it's time to start planning for the Common Ground Initiative's 2027 Competitive Grant Cycle. As the Common Ground Initiative evolves, careful planning for the long-term success of the program is underway. From growing a reserve fund to moving successful long-term partnerships such as Chaffee Chips, Rec Adopters, and Rec Rangers to established programs, the Common Ground Initiative has seen meaningful changes over the past year. In 2026 there are commitments of over $1.3 million expected to be dispersed through previously awarded multi-year grants, partnerships, and programs. With such large commitments having been made in 2026, the next Common Ground Competitive Grant application period will tentatively be held in late 2026 with the expected timeline as follows:

  • Grant applications submission period August-September 2026

  • Grants awarded January 2027

  • Grant disbursement January-February 2027

As planning for the upcoming grant cycle and ongoing updates to the Common Ground Program continue, we encourage the public to attend our regularly scheduled meetings on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Meeting schedules and information can be found on the County Calendar. In person and virtual options are available.