Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have announced the opening of the 2025 Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program’s Workforce Development Grant process. This year, $6.8 million will be made available for conservation corps, including those associated with the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA), and Department of Corrections State Wildland Inmate Fire Teams (DOC SWIFT). The funding is intended to support wildfire mitigation projects and provide training in natural resource management and wildfire risk reduction.
“In Colorado we are no stranger to devastating wildfires that hurt communities across our state. I am excited to continue our work investing more than ever in wildfire reduction tactics and training forestry personnel to keep Colorado communities safer, and more resilient when fire season strikes,” said Governor Polis.
The Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) was established following the severe 2020 fire season as a partnership between the Department of Natural Resources, Colorado State Forest Service, and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Its goal is to speed up efforts aimed at reducing wildfire risks through workforce development and large-scale fuels reduction projects. Since its start in 2021, COSWAP has funded 88 Workforce Development projects totaling $14.5 million, along with 29 Landscape Resilience Investment projects worth $25.8 million.
“I am excited to announce the largest round of funding available for our Workforce Development Grants offered through COSWAP. In previous years, the demand for funding has exceeded our capacity to award. It’s proof that there is a need for programs like COSWAP which focus on reducing wildfire risks and improving forest health near our homes, communities and critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, Colorado mega-fires returned in force this year and we need to do all we can to create more fire resilient forests while protecting lives and property. This program is an important part of the solution and I encourage eligible organizations, including Government entities, nonprofits and utilities to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources.
This marks the fourth round of COSWAP Workforce Development funding. The grant offers two types of awards: crew time—where COSWAP pays directly for mitigation work done by CYCA-accredited conservation corps or DOC SWIFT crews—and cash grants for those working with independent conservation corps or needing funds for project management or workforce training expenses.
“This continued collaboration between DOC’s State Wildland Inmate Fire Team (SWIFT) and the Department of Natural Resources has proven invaluable in protecting Colorado communities. Beyond the immediate impact on wildfire response, we’ve seen participants gain confidence, purpose, and career pathways that extend well beyond their time in the program,” said Mitch Karstens, Interim Director of Finance and Administration at Colorado Correctional Industries.
Eligible projects must be located within specific areas such as Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, La Plata, Teller counties or Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative focal areas if using independent or CYCA-accredited conservation corps. DOC SWIFT crews operate from Four Mile Correctional Facility in Canon City with a three-hour service radius; statewide training opportunities are also available.
“Wildfire is now a year-round threat to Colorado communities, and our solutions must rise to that scale. The partnership between COSWAP and Colorado’s conservation corps delivers exactly what is needed to protect the lives and livelihoods of Coloradans in our most fire-vulnerable areas. At the same time, this program will build the next generation of wildland firefighters to help keep our state safe in the years to come,” said Scott Segerstrom, Executive Director at Colorado Youth Corps Association.
A new partnership with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps will allow crew time awards under CYCA applications this year; this organization works with tribal communities on lasting conservation service projects.
Additionally, starting this cycle grants will now be available every other year instead of annually; applicants should plan proposals over two years so work continues until funding resumes in 2027.
“The chainsaw training grant we received through COSWAP has allowed our partnering agencies to address the need to increase a skilled workforce to perform mitigation treatments across the region. The members trained under these grants have moved into a variety of positions with our partnering agencies… We are grateful to COSWAP for this opportunity,” said Josh Roberts from Larimer County Office of Emergency Management.
Applications are open until November 3rd; decisions will be announced by December 2025 with project completion required by December 31st 2027. More information about eligibility criteria can be found on COSWAP’s website.
