The Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) has announced a record investment of $6.9 million in its latest Workforce Development grant round, supporting 24 projects across the state focused on wildfire mitigation and training. The program partners with the Colorado Youth Corps Association and the Department of Corrections’ State Inmate Wildland Fire Team (SWIFT) crew.
COSWAP was established following the severe wildfires of 2020, aiming to protect lives, property, watersheds, and infrastructure while developing a skilled workforce for forestry and wildfire management. This year’s grant cycle saw significant demand, with 35 applications totaling over $13.3 million in requests.
“Colorado is no stranger to devastating wildfires. This year we are experiencing record drought numbers, now more than ever it is important to invest in wildfire prevention strategies to protect our communities,” said Governor Jared Polis. “By investing $6.9 million into these local wildfire prevention initiatives , we are reducing fire risk for our communities and watersheds while creating good-paying jobs and training the workforce Colorado needs to build a more resilient future.”
The 2025 grants will fund fuel reduction projects that use hand crews equipped with chainsaws and chippers to create fuel breaks, reduce hazardous materials in high-risk zones, and improve evacuation routes. Project selection considers how proposed work connects with other treatments to maximize protection for critical areas.
Some funded projects address challenges from mountain pine beetle outbreaks along the front range—regions that face both high wildfire risk and dense populations. Since 2022, COSWAP has allocated over $20 million through 56 projects along this corridor.
Recognizing the need for trained personnel, COSWAP also supports statewide training programs covering wildland firefighting basics, chainsaw operation, and prescribed fire exchanges.
“This funding enables us to focus where wildfire risk is highest,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “From the Front Range to the Western Slope, we are putting crews to work on federal, state, local, and private lands. These awards will turn plans into progress by providing the boots on the ground required to thin overgrown forests and protect our communities.”
Notable grants include:
– Frisco Wildland Urban Interface in Summit County ($448,640): In partnership with SWIFT crews from Corrections, this project will remove dead trees near population centers within White River National Forest.
– Colorado National Guard near Steamboat Springs ($173,314): Rocky Mountain Youth Corps will engage National Guard members as conservation corps workers focusing on Emerald Mountain’s wildfire risks.
– Hotchkiss Fire Chainsaw Training in Delta County ($6,188): The all-volunteer Hotchkiss Fire District will receive chainsaw training to expand their services beyond emergency response.
– La Plata County Cross-Boundary Work ($412,875): A collaboration between Southwest Conservation Corps and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps aims at increasing resilience between San Juan National Forest and Durango Hills subdivision.
“This historic round of funding is a testament to the power of partnership in Colorado,” said Scott Segerstrom, Executive Director of the Colorado Youth Corps Association. “We are particularly excited to welcome the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC) into this work. By integrating ALCC’s deep connection to the land and Indigenous-led stewardship with our statewide efforts, we are ensuring that wildfire resilience is built by, and for, all of Colorado’s communities.”
“Partnering with COSWAP has allowed us to fill our calendar for the next two years, providing stable, meaningful work for our crews,” noted Mitch Karstens, Director of Colorado Correctional Industries. “Our members aren’t just clearing brush; they are gaining certifications and real world experience that will allow them to step immediately into forestry jobs upon their release.”
The current grants operate on a two-year cycle; another funding opportunity is expected in fall 2027. More information about awardees can be found on COSWAP’s website.
