Resources for Grant Funding and Wildfire Mitigation Projects

It can be challenging to know where to start to secure funding and get expert help planning and implementing Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Restoration projects. Some agencies are limited to helping residents within their own county, while others are not. Below are resources listed by county that are good starting points. Feel free to contact these resources regarding what is available for your particular property and situation.

Larimer County:
Larimer Conservation District
www.larimercd.org
Dylan Alsbach, Operations Director
dylan@larimercd.org
970.218.0286
2150 Centre Ave A, Ste 116, Fort Collins CO 80526
Online Bio: https://www.larimercd.org/staff-board

Boulder County:
Longmont and Boulder Valley Conservation Districts
https://bouldervalley-longmontcd.colorado.gov/
Rob Walker, District Director
rob.walker@bvlcd.com
Office: (720) 378-5521
Mobile: (720) 815-8842
9595 Nelson Road, Suite D, Longmont CO 80501

Boulder County Wildfire Partners
https://wildfirepartners.org/
info@wildfirepartners.org
303-441-1420
P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306

Both Larimer and Boulder Counties:

The Watershed Center
www.watershed.center
Chiara Forrester, Forest Program Director
cforrester@watershed.center
720.745.3160
Mailing Address: PO Box 1074, Niwot CO 80544-1074
Physical Address: (meetings by appointment only)
1225 Ken Pratt Blvd, Suite 232, Longmont CO 80501
Online Bio: https://watershed.center/about/staff/chiara-forrester/

Colorado State Forest Service
Boulder Field Office
https://csfs.colostate.edu/boulder/
Ben Pfohl, Supervisory Forester
Ben.pfohl@colostate.edu
303-909-6506
Mailing Address: 5625 Ute Highway, Longmont CO 80503

Forest Restoration and Wildfire Preparedness

Both Larimer and Boulder counties have programs to help homeowners understand the current condition of their forested lands and guide them through the options for mitigation. There is even the possibility to receive funding to help perform the mitigations. Here are some resources to visit to learn more about each program:

Boulder County

Wildfire Partners is a Boulder County program designed to help residents prepare for wildfires. It provides both community and individual home and property assessments of wildfire risk. They also offer a free community chipping program to help residents manage high-risk vegation on their properties.
info@wildfirepartners.org

Allenspark Fire Protection District operates as a special district, with all funding for operations coming from property tax revenues and donations. They provide helpful information on how to prepare for emergencies and disasters. They are also actively updating the county’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
info@allensparkfire.com

Boulder County Disaster Management provides information, resources, and classes to help prepare for emergencies.

Larimer County

Healthy Forest Initiative
Here is the information shared with the TVLA: Healthy Forest Information
Check out some before and after photos here: Northern Colorado and Big Thompson

Larimer County Preparedness provides information, plans and guides to help prepare for emergencies.

Additional Information

Wildfires can also cause or intensify existing health problems. When structures catch fire, asbestos products become damaged and release carcinogenic fibers that become airborne and transportable by smoke. The exposure is even higher once clean-up begins after the fires, as the fibers are open and easily disturbed. The Mesothelioma Center has provided a great guide covering the impact of wildfires on structures made with asbestos. You can view it here: Wildfires and Asbestos Exposure

The USDA Farm Service Agency has a forest restoration program called the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). It helps owners of non-industrial private forests to restore forest health following a natural disaster, such as a forest fire. Drought and insect infestations are not included in the scope of the EFRP program. More information can be found on the USDA’s website here.

NEON Rocky Mountain Tower Site Tour

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Program is inviting interested parties to a tour of their NEON Rocky Mountain Tower site on October 11 between 4 and 6 pm.

They are asking those who want to join the tour to sign up here. They are still finalizing details including where to park and when to meet. There will be limited space for the tour, so if you sign up, details will be provided by NEON via email by Monday, October 10. If that tour date will not work for you but you are interested in a tour at a later date, please indicate that on the form linked above.