Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant (SFMG) program application period open through Dec. 11

Key Points:

• Grant funds will support forest and grassland wildfire mitigation projects in Boulder County
• Boulder County grant program funding will provide match and leverage to other wildfire mitigation and planning grants
• For more information and application details, visit the Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant webpage

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County is launching a new Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant (SFMG) Program to help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire to people, homes, property, and infrastructure throughout the county. The program provides grant funding through coordination with federal, state, and local wildfire mitigation funding sources.

Organizations and agencies that may apply for a SFMG grant include:

• Local government entities in Boulder County
• Private utilities, ditch companies, and water providers
• Homeowners associations
• State agencies that own or manage land in Boulder County
• Non-profit groups

Funding may be used for Forest and Grasslands Fuels Mitigation Projects for:

• Forest or grassland fuels reduction by various appropriate methods, including mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, mowing, grazing or prescribed fire and other methods designed to protect water supplies and/or reduce potential fire intensity
• Mitigation on private lands as a multi-homeowner project (e.g., community/HOA common areas, privately owned green spaces/beltways)
• Creation or maintenance of fuel breaks
• Local government open space management projects with the objectives of mitigating wildfire risks
• Ditch and grassland fuels reduction projects
• Cross-boundary projects that may include private, local government, and federal lands
• Funding may also be used for development or updates to Community Wildfire Protection Plans

The SFMG program is funded by the county’s wildfire mitigation sales and use tax approved by voters in November 2022. A portion of this funding, $2 million dollars, is budgeted to support the first cycle of the new grant program. Additional wildfire mitigation tax funds support community partnerships and programs to help residents prepare for wildfires, fire mitigation staffing, and other projects to proactively address the increasing risk of climate-driven wildfires.

“Mitigating the risk of wildfire is a key priority for the Boulder County Government and Boulder County residents,” said Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann. “The voter-approved wildfire mitigation sales and use tax has enabled county staff to build on their community partnerships to tackle this crucial work. The launch of the new Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant program is an important step in empowering communities to protect themselves from the risk of wildfire.”

“The Boulder County SFMG grant is an excellent opportunity to assist property owners in extending their mitigation dollars by providing the required match to other grants. This enables landowners to treat more acres; keeping their properties safer, the County more fire resilient, and our essential watersheds better protected.” Chris O’Brien, Fire Chief, Lefthand FPD

“This important program provides a significant opportunity to leverage state and federal funding to protect communities and critical landscapes throughout Boulder County,” said Scott Woods, Partnership Coordinator with the Colorado State Forest Service. “By working with an array of partners to develop this program, Boulder County has combined their collective expertise to ensure the grants are effective in helping residents prepare for wildfire at a scale that will make the biggest impact.”

The SFMG program, managed by the Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department, was developed with an advisory team that includes the Colorado State Forest Service, United States Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, Boulder County, City of Boulder, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Lefthand Fire Protection District, and Boulder Rural Fire Rescue.

The grant application window for the fall 2023 cycle is open through Monday, Dec. 11. View the application process, eligibility, and program information on the SFMG webpage.

For more information, contact Meg Halford, Wildfire Team Forest and Grasslands Project Coordinator, at mhalford@bouldercounty.gov or 720-564-2843.

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