Applications now available for all county residents to manage high-risk vegetation and on their properties
Key Points
- Free county chipping program is available to all residents within Boulder County and supports residents with managing the high-risk vegetation on their properties.
- The program emphasizes cooperation among neighbors where groups of five or more homeowners work together to complete a chipping event in their community.
- Learn more and apply to the chipping program at boco.org/chipping, or contact Zack Bertges, Wildfire Partners Chipping Coordinator, at 303-678-6168 or zbertges@bouldercounty.gov.
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County is proud to continue taking significant steps forward in its community safety and environmental stewardship with the 2026 season launch of the Wildfire Partners Community Chipping Program. This program supports all county residents with managing the high-risk vegetation on their properties, fostering a safer, cleaner, and more fire-resilient environment for all.
Boulder County continues to recognize the pressing need for proactive measures to reduce wildfire risk. In 2025, almost 100 applications were approved, representing chipping events that supported over 1,400 homes from all corners of Boulder County.
This county chipping program is free to all county residents, allowing adequate disposal of slash — green branches, and brush — in a safe and sustainable manner. This program is actively improving defensible space around properties and reducing the potential for fire to spread.
“Wildfire Partners saw tremendous growth with last year’s chipping program. Residents had been waiting for a new Chipping Program, and the quick growth demonstrates just how proactive our communities are becoming,” said Boulder County Chipping Coordinator Zack Bertges. “For 2026, we’ve prepared for and are expecting over 1,600 homes to participate. Our chipping contractors and internal systems are prepared to support this fast-growing program. It’s a very exciting time for residents to jump in and participate.”
In collaboration with local fire districts and approved chipping contractors, the county chipping program fosters community engagement and public awareness about wildfire mitigation. This program also emphasizes collaboration among neighbors to establish neighborhood chipping events, where groups of five or more homeowners will work together to complete the chipping event in their community.
Learn More and Apply
A minimum of five participating neighbors is required to host a community chipping event. At each community event, a county approved chipping contractor will provide the chipping services and haul the chips to a partnering donation site.
View Program Details and Apply
New Express Application for Returning Hosts
Chipping hosts who organized a community chipping event in 2025, and had more than 10 participants, are eligible to take advantage of a new express application. The express application utilizes host information from last year's event, saving time and streamlining the process of getting 2026 events approved. Returning hosts are encouraged to use this option when applying.
About Wildfire Partners
Wildfire Partners is a nationally recognized Boulder County government program designed to help residents prepare for wildfires. Technical and financial assistance is available to residents of the county through custom wildfire mitigation assessments, grant funding, educational programs, community events, and a free chipping program.
Funding for the Community Chipping Program is provided by the Wildfire Mitigation Sales Tax. The sales tax was approved by Boulder County voters in 2022 to fund work in two areas: Strategic Forest and Grassland Management, and Community and Individual Programs to Improve Wildfire Resilience. The Community Chipping Program is one of the first community programs to be funded by the Wildfire Mitigation Sales Tax.
For more information, contact Zack Bertges, Wildfire Partners Chipping Coordinator, at 303-678-6168 or zbertges@bouldercounty.gov.
Members of the Four Mile Fire Crew use a chipper on slash piles during a community chipping event.
Boulder County wants to ensure that everyone has equal access to our programs, activities, and services. To request an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accommodation, please email ada@bouldercounty.gov, or call 303-441-1386. If you need help in another language, please email cppfrontdesk@bouldercounty.gov or call 303-441-3930.