Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership
Northern Colorado is no stranger to wildfire risk. What sets the Big Thompson watershed apart is the strength of its partnerships. In 2022, Peaks to People Water Fund united a diverse coalition to transform wildfire management and conservation across the region.
The Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership (BTWHP), facilitated by Peaks to People, brings together local, state, and federal partners—public and private—who share a deep commitment to a healthy, resilient landscape. Together, we have achieved major milestones, including developing the PODs-Based Treatment Planning Dashboard, the Big Thompson Wildfire Ready Action Plan (WRAP), and the Protecting the Gateway to the Rockies Wildfire Defense Project.
A Few of Our Key Strategies
Our Vision
A resilient Big Thompson watershed that prepares our communities and natural resources for the impacts of climate change, wildfires and post fire flooding.
Our Mission
To achieve measurable progress towards long-term health and resilience of our watershed and its valuable assets by leveraging shared resources and taking collaborative action.
Our Roadmap For Long-Term Success
- STRATEGIC PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION: Collaboratively plan strategic, long-term, landscape scale forest and riparian restoration work in Big Thompson watershed.
- MONITORING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT: Define consistent monitoring metrics and protocols for use among partners to provide accountability, track results and allow for adaptive management.
- FUNDRAISING: Seek federal, state, regional, local and private funding to support forest and riparian restoration projects in Big Thompson watershed.
- OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: Promote outreach and engagement with landowners, homeowner associations and the general public to increase social license for forest and riparian restoration projects, including use of prescribed fire.
- TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING: Increase capacity of partners to accomplish internal and partnership goals
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RESOURCE SHARING: Share resources, training opportunities, expertise and connections in order to leverage partner assets to enhance individual and collective strengths and provide support to fill gaps and meet partner agency’s needs; collaborate to develop best management practices
The Big Thompson watershed is vital for drinking water, recreation, wildlife, and Colorado’s mountain gateway communities. Through the Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership, diverse partners are working together to ensure this landscape is healthier, safer, and more resilient in the face of wildfire.
BTWHP Members
