Grand County Wildfire Council (GCWC) has two cost-share programs focused on reducing wildfire risk. The first is focused on the home ignition zone and egress routes of structures, designed to protect life safety. The second is focused on larger strategic and community level fuels reduction projects. Please see details below as well as links to assessment request forms and applications. Please contact us with any questions.

Please use the link below to access the Grand County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and view your property's and your community's wildfire risk.

GCWC offers a Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Cost-Share Program for wildfire risk reduction. The program is meant to incentivize landowners to complete defensible space projects to make their homes safer, protect egress routes, and reduce risk to structures in the event of a wildfire.

Program Details

• The HIZ cost-share program is designed for projects focusing on Zone 1 (0-5 feet), Zone 2 (5-30 feet), Zone 3 (30-100 feet), & the egress (20 feet on either side). Please see the image below for a visual example or The Home Ignition Zone guide from CSFS for more information.
• Cost-sharing is limited to a one-time reimbursement broken down by Zone:
  • Zones 1, 2, & the Egress are eligible for a one-time reimbursment of up to $3,000 or 50% of the project cost, whichever is least.
  • Zone 3 is eligible for a one-time reimbursment of $2,000 per acre, with a maximum of $3,000 per property, or 50% of the project cost, whichever is least.
  • Zones 1, 2, & the Egress must be completed for Zone 3 to be eligible for reimbursment.
  • The maximum HIZ cost-share reimbursment is $6,000 ($3,000 for Zones 1, 2, & the Egress and $3,000 for 1.5 acres of Zones 3).
• Due to limited funding, projects are accepted on a first-come basis beginning in the spring.
• Equipment rented by the property owner and used solely for hazardous fuels treatment within the HIZ may be eligible for reimbursement. All other program parameters apply.

Step 1.) Wildfire Risk Assessment

• You MUST have a home ignition zone (HIZ) assessment completed by your local fire district or by GCWC prior to any work being completed to be eligible for a reimbursement. You can request a free assessment using the button below:

Step 2.) HIZ Cost-Share Application

• If you have undergone a HIZ assessment with a GCWC or fire district representative and your project meets the requirments of the HIZ Cost-Share program, please fill out the application below:

Step 3.) Project Preparation & Implementation

• GCWC will provide a prescription (Rx) and/or project requirements that must be met to be eligible for reimbursement.
• It is the responsibility of the property owner to contact contractors and receive bids for their project. Please see the 2025 Contractor List below, however, it is not required that you use a contractor from the list.
• The selected bid should be emailed to GCWC for review and grant allocation & planning purposes.
• The HIZ assessment will likely include 'Before' Photos, but it is highly encouraged that property owners collect their own before-work photos to ensure grant eligibility.
• Once the below-listed items have been completed, work may begin:
  • HIZ Assessment & Before Photos
  • HIZ Cost-Share Application
  • Project Rx provided to contractor
  • Selected contractor bid sent to GCWC

Step 4.) Project Completion & Reimbursement

• When the project is nearing completion or has been completed, it is the property owner's responsibility to notify GCWC.
• A post-work inspection will be conducted before reimbursment is issued.
• Required paperwork must be submitted to GCWC before reimbursement is issued. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Before & After Photos
  • Proof of Payment
  • Invoice
  • IRS Form W9
• Once all paperwork has been received and project completion has been verified, property owners will be notified of their final reimbursement amount and status.
• Please note, reimbursment may take up to 60 days depending on availability of funding.

GCWC offers the Strategic Fuels Reduction Cost-Share Program to give collective groups of private landowners, large parcel landowners, and others as identified by GCWC the opportunity to apply for cost-share funding. The purpose of this program is to complete impactful and strategic wildfire risk reduction treatments, as identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, at the community or landscape scale.

Program Details

• This program supports the completion of landscape scale, community level, and large parcel projects with a focus on connecting fuels reduction treatments and fuel break treatments, as well as gaining a foothold in new areas to support future mitigation. The program emphasizes protecting critical infrastructure, access routes, structures, and vital resources within high-risk areas such as those identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
• Funds are limited and projects are reviewed by the GCWC Board of Directors for alignment with program goals. Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis. Note that due to limited funding and strategic goals, not all projects will be able to be funded.
• A property assessment and an application are required prior to any work being completed in order to be eligible for reimbursement. Other requirements will vary by project and will be outlined by GCWC with applicants.
• Property owners will be provided a presciption (Rx) or project requirements that must be met prior to reimbursement being issued. A post-work inspection will be required to verify compliance.
• Reimbursment will be calculated at a maximum of $2,000 per acre of 50% of the total project cost, whichever is least.
• To qualify for funding under the strategic fuels cost-share program, your home ignition zone (HIZ) must be mitigated

If you feel your project meets the goals of the program, please contact us below and we will be in touch to discuss your proposal, schedule a site visit, and provide you with an application.

Cost share funds have been generously donated by: Congressionally-delegated funding sponsored by Colorado Senator Bennet, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Forest Service, Weathertop Foundation, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Middle Park Conservation District, Grand Fire Protection District, Coalitions and Collaboratives Inc. (COCO) through the Action, Implementation and Mitigation (AIM) Program, and Grand Foundation (Grand County Wildfire Emergency Fund).