GCWC offers the Strategic Fuels Reduction Cost Share Program to give collective groups of private landowners, large parcel owners, HOAs, 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.

• 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. The Grand County Wildfire Council Board of Directors reserves the right to approve, approve with modifications, and/or reject any application.
• 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 or 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 prior to or in conjunction with the strategic fuels project.

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

Step 1.) A property assessment must be completed by GCWC.

Step 2.) A completed application must be submitted.

Step 3.) Contractor estimate must be sent to GCWC. The estimate must be based on the provided assessment, presciption, & map and include acreage & cost per acre.

Step 4.) The Mitigation Committee meets monthly to review projects and make funding recomendations to the GCWC Board of Directors. Assessment, application, & estimate must all be submitted by the end of the month prior to the next committee meeting to be eligible for review.

Step 5.) Notification of approval or denial will be sent via email. Approved projects will be sent an award letter that must be signed and returned prior to work begining.

Step 6.) When work is complete or nearing completion, it is the property owner's responsibility to notify GCWC so a post-work inspection can be conducted.

Step 7.) The property owner must pay the contractor in full then submit required documentation to GCWC for reimursement.

Required Documentation

• Signed Award Letter
• Before & After Photos
• Contractor's Invoice
• Proof of Payment
• IRS Form W9

GCWC's Mitigation Committee meets monthly to review proposed projects & allocate available funding . The Committee is made up of representatives from numerous disciplines within the County. To serve on the Mitigation Committee, members must be knowledgable of GCWC programs & processess.

Members

• Brad White, Grand Fire Protection District No. 1
• Ryan McNertney, Colorado State Forest Service
• Brian Faith, Grand Lake Fire Protection District
• Kimberly Tekavec, Northern Water
• Philip Brinkmann, Granby Resident
• Ken Wright, Grand Lake Resident

Meeting Schedule

• April 8th, 2026
  • Deadline to submit: March 31st
• May 6th, 2026
  • Deadline to submit: April 30th
• June 3rd, 2026
  • Deadline to submit: May 31st
• July 8th, 2026
  • Deadline to submit: June 30th
• August 12th, 2026
  • Deadline to submit: July 31st
• September 2nd, 2026
  • Deadline to submit: August 31st
• October TBD
  • Deadline to submit: September 30th

All meetings of the Mitigation Committee are by invite only

Cost share funds have been generously donated by: 

• Congressionally Directed Spending 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

• Grand Foundation (Grand County Wildfire Emergency Fund)

• Grand County Open Lands, Rivers, & Trails Sales Tax Fund (OLRT)