Colorado to receive $432,000 in EPA grant funding to improve drinking water infrastructure

Six western states are set to receive federal money from a grant to improve drinking water infrastructure, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Friday, June 26.

The EPA is awarding $1.6 million in grant funding for fiscal year 2026 to Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, with the Centennial state to receive $432,000 or 27% of the grant money.

Allocation figures for each state and dollar amount:

• Montana – $297,000
• North Dakota – $205,000
• South Dakota – $221,000
• Utah – $280,000
• Wyoming – $235,000

According to the EPA, the grants will help Make America Healthy Again by providing communities with needed resources to make critical drinking water infrastructure upgrades. The grants are said to also combat Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), remove sources of lead and address specific local drinking water challenges. 

“Reliable access to clean, safe drinking water is essential for American communities to thrive and a top priority for the Trump EPA,” EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Jess Kramer said. “Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American is Pillar 1 of Administrator Zeldin’s ‘Powering the Great American Comeback’ Initiative. Small and rural water systems often face disproportionate challenges when it comes to drinking water, and these grants will help them access needed resources to make important water infrastructure investments that will protect Americans from the dangers of PFAS and other harmful contaminants.”

EPA Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western weighed in on the announcement as well.

“EPA is committed to advancing safe, reliable drinking water across the country,” Western said. “Through strong state partnerships, this funding will help communities across the region improve their water systems, access resources to meet their unique challenges, and deliver the clean, reliable water families depend on.” 

EPA said approximately $25 million is available nationwide through the Small, Rural, and Tribal (SmaRT) Drinking Water Assistance Program.

That grant program was established under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act to help water systems provide clean, safe drinking water.

EPA said the funding is available to states and territories, who are responsible for administering the grant funds and ensuring that the funds efficiently and effectively reach communities that need assistance with local water infrastructure upgrades or Safe Drinking Water Act compliance.