Colorado Parks and Wildlife awarded more than $16,000 to 10 organizations in the CPW’s third annual Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants Program.

Grants of $1,000 to $3,000 were awarded to organizations across the state, including in Brighton, Englewood, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, for a wide variety of wildlife rehabilitation efforts.

“The rehabilitation of Colorado’s wildlife species often happens quietly, by a relatively few number of qualified and licensed professionals around the state,” said John Gale, chair of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants board.

“They provide critical services across a diversity of species – large and small – often at great personal expense.”

The grants will help fund projects including equipment to overwinter bats at Conifer’s BatCREW, construction of a new facility at Brighton’s SonFlower Ranch and food, supplies and veterinary expenses at six different centers.

“We had more than $48,000 in funding requests but only $16,200 in funding available,” said Jim Guthrie, Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants coordinator. “There’s a big need out there. A lot of Colorado rehabbers run on shoestring budgets.”

Applications for Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Awards are due each year in early November. For more information on the program, visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants page.

Funding for the grants comes from the nongame tax check-off program and fines from nongame wildlife-based offenses. For the first $250,000 raised annually, 10% is given to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Program.

“I want to extend our appreciation to Colorado taxpayers for their generous donations and continued investment in this highly successful grant program,” Gale said.