Rain gardens are shallow, landscaped depressions designed to capture and retain stormwater runoff from rooftops, driveways, and other impervious surfaces. By using deep-rooted native plants and well-draining soils, they improve water quality by filtering out contaminants like oils, metals, and nutrients. In addition, they can reduce the risk of localized flooding by allowing water to infiltrate the ground, and provide essential habitat for pollinators and other wildlife—all while minimizing the need for supplemental irrigation.

Bioswales are linear, vegetated channels that manage and treat stormwater runoff by slowing its flow, allowing it to infiltrate the soil, and enhancing groundwater recharge. Often incorporating native plants, mulch, and engineered soils, they effectively capture and filter pollutants while also adding aesthetic and ecological value to urban spaces, making them ideal for managing stormwater along roadways, parking lots, and other paved areas.

Permeable pavers are a type of pavement that allows water to pass through voids between the paving materials, reducing surface runoff and filtering pollutants before they reach waterways. By contributing to stormwater management, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and supporting sustainable and resilient urban development, permeable pavers help reduce flooding while promoting environmental sustainability.

Green roofs, also known as vegetated roofs, are roofing systems covered with layers of vegetation, soil, and waterproof membranes that manage stormwater by capturing and absorbing rainfall, reducing both the volume and rate of runoff. In addition to mitigating the urban heat island effect, they improve building energy efficiency by providing insulation, create habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, and extend the lifespan of roofing materials by protecting them from UV exposure and temperature fluctuations. Green roofs can be extensive (lightweight with shallow soil and low-maintenance plants) or intensive (deeper soil that supports a wider variety of plants, including trees and shrubs), both of which contribute to stormwater management and urban greening efforts.

Indoor water efficiency projects help reduce water consumption in homes, businesses, and public buildings by upgrading plumbing fixtures, appliances, and infrastructure to more efficient models. These projects support long-term water conservation efforts, lower energy costs, and improve the overall sustainability of water resources. Types of projects include:

• High-Efficiency Fixtures & Appliances: Retrofitting buildings with low-flow faucets, showerheads, toilets, and urinals, as well as installing high-efficiency dishwashers and washing machines in residential and commercial settings.
• Industrial & Commercial Efficiency Upgrades: Replacing outdated cooling towers, heating and air conditioning systems, and other water-intensive equipment to improve efficiency.
• Leak Detection & Repair: Identifying and addressing leaks in municipal water systems to reduce water loss and enhance overall system performance.

These improvements can lower water and energy costs, reduce strain on water infrastructure, and help ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations.

Outdoor water efficiency projects help reduce water use in landscaping and irrigation, a critical challenge in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. Type of projects include:

• Smart Irrigation Technology: Installing weather-based controllers and soil moisture sensors to optimize watering schedules.
• Turf Replacement: Converting high-water-use, non-functional turf into native or drought-tolerant landscapes to reduce irrigation demand.
• Irrigation System Upgrades: Enhancing water efficiency with drip irrigation systems, high-efficiency sprinkler heads, and leak detection improvements.

These improvements can help reduce supplemental irrigation needs, lower water bills, minimize runoff and water waste, and significantly decrease outdoor water demand while supporting resilient, climate-appropriate landscapes.

Rainwater harvesting entails the collection and storage of rainwater from rooftops or other impervious surfaces for future use. This practice reduces demand on municipal water supplies and mitigates stormwater runoff. Projects may involve the installation of collection systems, storage tanks, and distribution mechanisms to utilize harvested rainwater for non-potable applications such as landscape irrigation, industrial processes, or toilet flushing. By decreasing reliance on traditional water supplies, rainwater harvesting helps alleviate stress on municipal systems while promoting water conservation and sustainability.

Graywater refers to wastewater from sources such as sinks, showers, and laundry facilities (whereas blackwater, which comes from toilets, dishwaters, and urinals). Reusing graywater involves treating and redirecting it for non-potable purposes, thereby reducing the demand for potable water and decreasing the volume of wastewater requiring treatment. Eligible graywater reuse projects may include the development of collection and treatment systems that allow for the safe application of graywater in landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, or other appropriate uses.

Onsite reuse systems involve the collection, treatment, and reuse of water directly at the location where it is generated, such as in individual buildings or facilities. These systems can manage various water sources, including graywater and stormwater, treating them for non-potable applications like toilet flushing, cooling systems, or landscape irrigation. Implementing onsite reuse systems reduces the demand on centralized water infrastructure, conserves potable water resources, and enhances overall water resilience. Projects may include the installation of advanced treatment technologies, storage facilities, and distribution networks tailored to specific site needs. By decentralizing water management, onsite reuse systems offer flexible and sustainable solutions that can be customized to local conditions.

Stream restoration involves enhancing the ecological health of rivers or streams to support biodiversity, recreation, flood control, and landscape development. It encompasses a variety of techniques and approaches aimed at stabilizing stream channels, reducing erosion, improving water quality, and restoring natural habitats.

There are two primary approaches to stream restoration:

1. Form-based restoration: This approach relies on physical interventions such as cross vanes, weirs, and engineered log jams to stabilize stream channels and enhance ecological function. These structures help control water flow, reduce erosion, and improve habitat for aquatic species.
2. Process-based restoration: This approach focuses on restoring natural hydrological and geomorphological processes, such as sediment transport and channel-floodplain connectivity, to ensure long-term resilience and ecological health of the stream. This method aims to mimic natural processes to create a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Stream restoration projects are tailored to the specific needs and conditions of each site and may involve activities like grading and planting, installing woody debris, and creating step pools. The ultimate goal is to restore the stream’s natural function and value, which in turn supports aquatic life and improves overall watershed health.

The sections below feature types of stream restoration approaches: riparian buffer strips, streambank stabilization, and instream habitat enhancement.

Check out additional resources on our Wildfire Resiliency Financing Dashboard.

Wetland meadow restoration involves rehabilitating degraded wetland ecosystems to restore their natural functions and biodiversity. This process includes manipulating the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a wetland to reestablish or rehabilitate its functions. Restoration practices are generally categorized into two main types:

1. Reestablishment: The rebuilding of a former wetland or meadow to return it to its original condition.
2. Rehabilitation: Repairing the functions of a degraded wetland or meadow to enhance its ecological health and services​.

Specific activities in wetland and meadow restoration may include re-establishing native vegetation, removing invasive species, regrading land to restore natural hydrology, and implementing erosion control measures. These efforts help improve water filtration, flood attenuation, groundwater recharge, and provide essential habitat for wildlife. Restoring these ecosystems not only supports biodiversity but also enhances climate resilience and improves water quality​.

Check out additional resources on our Wildfire Resiliency Financing Dashboard.

Sediment control refers to practices aimed at preventing eroded soil and other materials from entering nearby water bodies, thereby reducing pollution and maintaining water quality. These methods are essential in construction and land-disturbance activities to manage sediment runoff and protect aquatic ecosystems. Sediment control methods, which are not permanent, include the use of sediment basins, silt fences, erosion control mats and blankets, terracing, and temporary seeding.

Sediment basins are designed to capture and detain runoff, allowing sediments to settle before water is discharged. Silt fences and fiber logs filter sediment from runoff by creating physical barriers. Erosion control mats and blankets prevent soil erosion by stabilizing exposed soils and slopes. Effective sediment control requires proper planning, installation, and maintenance to ensure that these practices function correctly throughout the project duration​.

The sections below feature types of sediment control approaches: erosion control mats or blankets, sediment basins, and terracing.

Check out additional resources on our Wildfire Resiliency Financing Dashboard.

Forest management focuses on managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing hazards, and maintaining forest health. By enhancing forest resilience to fire, insects, and diseases, forest management helps shape future forests, provides essential wood products, and diversifies local economies.

The sections below feature types of forest management approaches: forest thinning, revegetation, and reforestation.

Check out additional resources on our Wildfire Resiliency Financing Dashboard.

Process-based restoration attempts to return a stream to its natural, undisturbed state by mimicking a healthy stream corridor’s natural processes and functions.

Techniques such as building beaver dam analogs and other simple structures help reconnect streams to their floodplains, slow water flow, reduce erosion, and improve habitat for wildlife. The goal is to enhance ecosystem resilience to stressors like drought, wildfire, and flooding, ultimately supporting healthy, functioning landscapes​.

The sections below feature types of process-based restoration approaches: beaver dam analogs, large woody debris, and post-assisted log structures.

Check out additional resources on our Wildfire Resiliency Financing Dashboard.

In the context of a water utility operating on Forest Service land, land acquisition refers to the process by which the utility secures legal rights or ownership of land or easements from the Forest Service. This facilitates the construction, maintenance, or expansion of water infrastructure on federal property. This process is governed by Forest Service regulations and policies, balancing utility needs with environmental protection and public land management objectives​. Water utilities may also acquire private land to facilitate the construction, maintenance, or expansion of their water infrastructure; these acquisitions are governed by rules regulating the sale of private property.

Land acquisitions help protect water quality and supply by preserving critical watershed areas, preventing development that could lead to pollution, and maintaining natural landscapes that support water filtration and storage. By securing land in this manner, water utilities help maintain the ecological health of forested watersheds, ensuring the sustainability of their operations and supporting broader conservation efforts​.

Check out additional resources on our Wildfire Resiliency Financing Dashboard.