$15 million in grants available to Colorado communities for wildfire mitigation

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) announced Wednesday that it is now accepting applications for the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program.

All kinds of groups are eligible to apply for the grants, including Community groups, homeowner associations, utilities, and non-profits.

"This year, thanks to support from Governor Polis and the Colorado State Legislature, the Colorado State Forest Service has $15 million available for grants that fund efforts to reduce fuel loads, mitigate wildfire risk and improve the resiliency of Colorado's forests. I encourage Coloradans to work with their neighbors and friends to get an application together and put these funds to work on the ground in their communities," Matt McCombs, state forester and director of the CSFS said.

The CSFS said this grant program strategically reduces wildfire risk to property, infrastructure, and water supplies. It also promotes forest health through scientifically based forestry practices. It is designed to reduce risk to people and property in the wildland-urban interface and support long-term ecological restoration.

The projects can be on private, state, county, or municipal forestlands

Applicants must coordinate proposed projects with relevant county officials to ensure consistency with county-level wildfire risk reduction planning, the CSFS said. The agency will also work with successful project applicants to conduct project monitoring and conduct site visits to assess the effectiveness and completion of projects.

Applications must be submitted electronically to local CSFS Field Offices by 5 p.m. on Oct. 19, 2022. A technical advisory panel convened by the CSFS will then review project applications and make funding recommendations. Funding will be awarded by March 31, 2023.

For more information about the grant program, visit CSFS Field Offices or the CSFS website.