Protecting the Gateway to the Rockies: Our Bold Plan to Reduce Wildfire Risk in Northern Colorado

Posted on by sgood • Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership

The Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership (BTWHP) is excited to share that a proposal has been submitted for Round 3 funding of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program. This critical funding opportunity, launched in 2022 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, provides financial support to help communities reduce wildfire risk and build resilience in wildfire-prone areas.

The proposal, born out of collaboration among the Partnership and titled “Protecting the Gateway to the Rockies,” seeks $9.86 million in funding to implement wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects in Estes Park and the Big Thompson Canyon – a region that serves as a vital gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and provides essential water resources for over 1 million Coloradans.

Why This Project Matters

“The Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership is built on the foundation of collaboration, and the development of this proposal showcases the power of working together to tackle wildfire risk and protect the health of the watershed. By bringing together local agencies, nonprofits and community partners, we’ve crafted a strategic and actionable plan to protect our forests, water resources and communities. This effort reflects our shared commitment to a safer, more resilient future for the Gateway to the Rockies.”
— Josh Roberts, Larimer County Mitigation Coordinator, EOC Planning Section

The project area includes the wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities of Estes Park, Glen Haven, and Loveland Fire Rescue Authority’s jurisdiction—communities that face significant wildfire risks due to their geography, climate, and fuel loads. With this funding, we aim to enhance community safety, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure the long-term health of forests and watersheds.

Key Activities and Objectives

If awarded, this project will focus on five core strategies:

Photo Credit: Big Thompson Watershed Coalition
  1. Home Ignition Zone and Wildfire Preparedness Education
    • Assisting residents in creating fire-resistant properties
    • Conducting community outreach on wildfire preparedness
  2. Landscape-Scale Wildfire Mitigation
    • Implementing fuels reduction treatments on open spaces and large properties
    • Strengthening forest resilience and ecosystem health
  3. Strategic Fuels Treatments Along Key Roadways
    • Reducing wildfire intensity near evacuation routes
    • Improving firefighter access in emergency situations
  4. Enhancing Community Capacity for Post-Treatment Biomass Management
    • Developing sustainable solutions for handling woody debris from fuel treatments
  5. Evacuation Planning & Emergency Preparedness
    • Improving existing evacuation plans and procedures
    • Addressing the challenges of constrained canyon road systems

Building on Existing Efforts

Photo Credit: Big Thompson Watershed Coalition

This project builds upon existing Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) for the region, including:

Additionally, our proposal aligns with the 2021 Larimer County Hazard Mitigation Plan, further reinforcing the region’s commitment to reducing wildfire risk and protecting lives, property, and natural resources.

A True Collaborative Effort

This proposal reflects a collective commitment from multiple partners, including:

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed time, expertise, and dedication to crafting this strategic proposal. Our collaborative efforts will help shape a safer, more resilient future for the Gateway to the Rockies and the communities that call it home.

Stay tuned as we await the grant award announcements!