New Funding for Non-Profit Organizations Forms One Part of the County’s Ongoing Work to Address Wildfire Mitigation

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County is seeking applications for funding from community non-profit organizations to perform wildfire mitigation education and outreach efforts and to plan, develop, and implement strategic forest and grassland management projects. Successful funding applications will receive up to $200,000 per year for up to five years.

“Boulder County is working hard to roll out wildfire mitigation programs this year and the new grants for non-profit organizations form one part of that work,” said Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann. “Non-profits are ideally positioned to work with the community and obtain state and federal grants to help restore private land, which decreases the risk of wildfire.”

The funding for the program will come from the voter-approved wildfire mitigation sales and use tax.

Opportunities for Community Involvement

The Colorado Front Range forests have become unnaturally dense and unhealthy due to historical land use and fire suppression. Proactive management actions are necessary to keep pace with changing climatic and wildfire regimes. Grassland management, using best management practices, is also a priority following the Marshall Fire.

To get the work done on the ground, place-based forest restoration, grassland management, and prescribed fire projects need to be developed in collaboration with community members and implemented by organizations with the necessary skills and capacity.

How to Apply for Funding

Local, non-profit capacity building is the first of many wildfire mitigation initiatives and funding opportunities made possible by the voter-approved wildfire mitigation sales and use tax. Qualified non-profit organizations can learn more and apply at boco.org/WildfireMitigation.

Engaging residents and partner organizations in updating the Boulder County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, launching a public awareness campaign, creating a strategic forest and grassland management grant program, and expanding Wildfire Partners are additional, future efforts.

For more information contact Jim Webster, Wildfire Partners Program Coordinator, at WildfireMitigation@bouldercounty.org or 720-564-2600.