Sunset Biomass Utilization Grant Program

Colorado ends grants for biomass projects

The law ends Colorado’s biomass grant program, which supported projects showing wildfire prevention, energy, or agricultural benefits, including biochar use. Organizations lose access to a program that had authorized up to $2.5 million in grants. The repeal removes the Forest Service’s grant authority, related definitions, and authority to use state funds or seek donated funding. It also ends annual March 1 grant reports to the governor and legislative committees, including required website posting. The law removes the program’s separate September 1, 2026 sunset date. The act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. after the 90-day period following final adjournment of the 2026 legislative session. That date is August 12, 2026, if the session adjourns May 13, 2026. A referendum petition filed during that period blocks the challenged provisions unless voters approve them in November 2026. Following voter approval, those provisions take effect on the date of the governor’s official vote declaration.