Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have announced an $8.4 million investment through the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP). The funding will support 19 new wildfire mitigation projects across the state, aiming to accelerate forest restoration and reduce wildfire risks for communities, watersheds, and infrastructure.
The latest round of grants includes 14 Workforce Development Grants that will treat 1,045 acres of forested land and train more than 150 individuals in wildfire mitigation skills. Additionally, five Landscape Resilience Investments will be carried out in partnership with the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Wildfire Ready Watersheds program. These projects focus on protecting water infrastructure in high-priority counties such as Garfield, Grand, Boulder, Jackson, and Montezuma.
“Here in Colorado, no matter what happens in Washington DC, we are aggressively expanding fire prevention strategies that work, and that includes the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program. This critical funding supports wildfire mitigation efforts across the state and helps Coloradans gain skills, and earn hands-on experience to become the next generation of well-equipped Colorado foresters,” said Governor Polis.
Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, emphasized the expanded reach of this year’s funding: “This year, I am pleased we are able to provide significant new funding for on the ground hand crews and training and significant landscape scale projects to a wider range of Colorado communities for forest mitigation and watershed protection work. Our COSWAP program rose up out of the devastating 2020 wildfire season and I am proud of the growth and innovation the program has shown. It provides essential on the ground funding to help protect lives, property and critical infrastructure while helping our communities become more resilient in the face of larger, more complex wildfires.”
The Workforce Development Grant aims to lower wildfire risk by offering entry-level training opportunities. Partners include organizations such as the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) and State Wildland Inmate Fire Teams (DOC SWIFT), which equip participants with skills needed for careers in forestry or fire management. Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera has played a role in securing investments for CYCA and supporting AmeriCorps members’ involvement in these initiatives.
CYCA crews—including Larimer County Conservation Corps, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Mile High Youth Corps, and Southwest Conservation Corps—will carry out six mitigation projects with this round’s grants. DOC SWIFT teams will complete three additional projects; five other awards focus on training individuals in wildland firefighting basics.
“COSWAP is a transformational program in Colorado. Not only does it protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Coloradans, it also unites people through service to their communities. This investment will develop the next generation of wildland firefighters, provide a pathway to the next chapter of service for the women and men of the National Guard, and bring a sense of purpose and accomplishment to conservation corps members. It represents the best of government, allocating resources to proven, impactful solutions,” said Scott Segerstrom, Executive Director at CYCA.
Pueblo Fire Department Deputy Chief Kieth Novak noted continued grant support since 2022: “The Pueblo Fire Department has obtained this grant funding every year since 2022, and it has had a significant positive effect on the spread of fire in those areas. The City of Pueblo cannot express how much we appreciate being awarded this grant for three years in a row continuing into 2025 and how much it increases the safety of our citizens… The work these crews do has significantly decreased the hazard risk associated with fire spread to homes around the rivers.”
A pilot project supported by COSWAP involves Serve Colorado working alongside Rocky Mountain Youth Corps within Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest—a collaboration that extends beyond COSWAP’s usual focus areas but leverages workforce development benefits for both AmeriCorps members and National Guard personnel.
“Members of the Colorado National Guard make up a population that are dedicated to serving their state and nation. By partnering with AmeriCorps to develop workforce pathways for National Guard personnel into the public sector… Through this program… our part-time service members receive financial stability – building our military readiness-, our communities benefit from … military training …and our military forces benefit from well rounded service members who are able to bring …skills they’ve gained …to …the warfight.
This partnership is a perfect example of government efficiency… all while ensuring our local communities and service members are more prepared for whatever the future throws at them,” said Major General Laura Clellan.
Landscape Resilience Investments target large-scale fuel reduction efforts across boundaries between jurisdictions. This year’s special release—done jointly with Wildfire Ready Watersheds—awarded $4.85 million among recipients including City of Boulder, City of Fort Collins, City of Glenwood Springs, Grand Fire Protection District ,and Mancos Conservation District; together they plan to treat over 1,300 acres during three years.
All five recipients are developing action plans designed to assess potential wildfire impacts on community infrastructure while advancing frameworks for planning future mitigation efforts before fires occur.
Chris Sturm from CWCB stated: “The Wildfire Ready Watersheds program is designed to help communities understand and mitigate… post-wildfire hazards… By integrating this work with COSWAP’s Landscape Resilience Investments…we’re ensuring that wildfire mitigation efforts not only protect homes…but also safeguard …watersheds…. These grants set our partners up for success by combining strategic planning with on-the-ground action…”
Projects like those run by Glenwood Springs or Grand Fire Protection District operate where high wildfire risk coincides with important watershed areas feeding into major rivers such as [the Colorado River](https://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/crsp/aspinall/ColoradoRiver.html). Integrating forest health work with watershed protection is expected over time to boost ecological resilience statewide.
Since Senate Bill 21-258 passed [in 2021](https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-258), COSWAP has allocated $25.4 million toward landscape resilience programs plus $13.8 million toward workforce development initiatives—with regular opportunities available each year or every other year depending on project type.
For more information about specific grant recipients or ongoing projects under these programs visit [the official website](https://dnr.colorado.gov/COSWAP).
