Applications have opened for approximately $16,000 of wildlife rehabilitation grants, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Thursday.

The grants, of at least $1,000 each, are awarded by CPW to support wildlife rehabilitation efforts in Colorado.

Applicants must be wildlife rehabilitators currently licensed by CPW and must use the grant funds for species that are authorized under the applicable rehabilitation license.

The grants can be used to fund activities such as feeding the rehabilitated species, upgrading/repairing facility infrastructure, upgrading/expanding rehabilitation structures, training, covering medical expenses or providing public education.

The grants cannot be used for lobbying, staff salaries, out-of-state travel or nonreleasable animal support/housing such as sanctuaries.

The program first began in 2018. Since then, CPW has issued 18 grants totaling more than $38,000 in funding.

The program was created through House Bill 17-1250, replacing the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Cash Fund with the Colorado Nongame Conservation and Wildlife Restoration Cash Fund.

Funding for the grants comes from the nongame tax check-off program and fines from nongame wildlife-based offenses and interest income.

A board comprised of seven members appointed by the CPW director will review the applications and set funding recommendations.

Applications are due by Nov. 4. CPW will announce the grant recipients in early December.

Application materials and full eligibility requirements are available at cpw.state.co.us.