About Us
Grand County Wildfire Council (GCWC) is a non-profit, community-based education and mitigation program for the residents and visitors of Grand County, Colorado. Our group consists of members from local, state, and federal government agencies, our local fire departments, homeowner groups, local businesses, and concerned citizens…
Our Mission
Our Vision
Draft Strategic View
Board of Directors
Board Vice Chair: Merrit Linke, District II County Commissioner
Board Treasurer: Schelly Olson, Grand County Property Owner (Grand Lake)
The BoD may hire, at its discretion when funding is available, staff to help administer the mission, vision, and programs of the Council.
Executive Director: Jessica Rahn, Grand County Resident (Granby)
Mitigation Specialist-Program Manager: We are recruiting for an energetic, creative, and
well-organized Mitigation Specialist-Program Manager to manage mitigation programs and
provide technical expertise in our nonprofit organization. This position is supported by
funding from the Grand Fire District (GFD) and is considered a joint employee between GFD
and GCWC. Please review the job posting below and apply!
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee of the Grand County Wildfire Council consists of individuals and agencies who support the mission and objectives of the Council and shall make recommendations to the Board of Directors on the direction of the Council. There shall be no membership entitlements in the steering committee; rather, the committee shall be comprised of anyone who is present at a quarterly Steering Committee meeting.
Ideally, members shall represent the following classes of stakeholders, including but not limited to:
- Grand County Fire Protection Districts
- Grand County Government, including the Board of Commissioners, the Department of Natural Resources, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of Emergency Management
- City / town governments within Grand County
- Homeowner Associations, Management Agencies, and other Community Representatives
- State and Federal Agencies, such as the United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc.
- Interested Individuals and Organizations representing business, tourism, real estate, ranching, philanthropy, communications, electric power, natural gas transportation, and concerned members of the public, such as the Middle Park Conservation District, Denver Water, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy, Western Area Power Administration and Mountain Parks Electric, Chambers of Commerce, Headwaters Trails Alliance, Grand County Tourism, insurance agencies, builders/developers, etc…
Education Committee
The Education Committee consists of members of the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee who are interested in helping educate the public on wildfire prevention and preparedness. A subset of the Education Committee also specializes in helping interested communities and HOAs receive Firewise USA designation. To join this committee, email bewildfireready@gmail.com.
Mitigation Committee
The Mitigation Committee consists of members of the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee who are actively involved in wildfire mitigation and/or have an interest in furthering mitigation efforts throughout the county. To join this committee, email bewildfireready@gmail.com.
Board Documents