Fire Protection District Grant Round Opens Sept. 1

Apply by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Brief Summary

• Fire protection districts in Boulder County can apply for funding for equipment, capital needs, training, and other items.
• A total of $2M in emergency services grants is available.
• The application period will open Sept. 1 and remain open for six weeks.
• Applications are due Tuesday, Oct. 13, by 5 p.m.

Description

The Emergency Services Grant Program is supported by the Boulder County Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax. To date, more than $6.5 million in grants have been awarded to address critical needs for firefighting, search and rescue, emergency medical services, and trail and trailhead safety in Boulder County’s rural and mountain communities.

Grants can be applied toward:

• Equipment and capital purchases and upgrades;
• Specialized training for emergency personnel;
• Operational enhancements to improve response capabilities;
• Infrastructure improvements to better support emergency services.

Eligibility:

The Fall 2026 Grant Round is open to fire protection districts that provide emergency services in the mountain and rural areas of Boulder County.

Criteria

• Applicant must provide services within Boulder County (wholly or in part).
• All-inclusive one-time grants only (no multi-year or ongoing grants).

How to Apply

Please only submit ONE application per agency (requests for multiple items should be included in the same application.)

Note: Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 13.

Lifesaving equipment, gear, and vehicle purchased with the emergency services grants.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is there a limit to how much a fire district can apply for?

There is no limit to a fire district's request for the fall 2026 grant round, but bear in mind that more than 20 eligible agencies can apply for grants in this cycle. (See list of past awarded grants by agency, type or service, and year.)

Since 2023, Boulder County has allocated more than $5 million from the Emergency Services Sales Tax to fire protection districts. Individual fire district grant amounts have ranged from $16K to $202K. Over the past three years, the average size fire district grant has been $92K and the median size fire district grant has been $85K.

2) What criteria does the selection committee use when reviewing applications?

Grant recommendations are based on several factors, including:

• The need for the proposed project or funding.
• The size of the agency or district and the financial resources available to it.
• The number of applications received.
• Whether the agency received a grant in the previous grant cycle.
• Whether the amount requested is reasonable and clearly explained.

Note: Grant requests may be fully or partially funded. If your request includes multiple items or projects, please list them in priority order so we know which are most important to your agency.

3) Who will decide how the funding is spent?

The funds available under the Grant Program are at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners. The Emergency Services Grant Program Advisory Committee, comprised of Boulder County residents, makes recommendations to the county commissioners on grant funding.

Funding will be awarded on a project-to-project basis depending upon described need, strategic value, and available funding. Boulder County reserves the right to award full or partial funding to successful applicants. Funding must be spent within one year from receipt of award.

Find out more about the Emergency Services Grants.

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Boulder County wants to ensure that everyone has equal access to our programs, activities, and services. If you need help in another language, please email esgrants@bouldercounty.gov or call 720-564-2830.