The Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative and the Glenwood Springs Fire Department have secured a $1 million grant to support wildfire risk reduction efforts in Glenwood Springs, according to a news release.

The funding comes from the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program’s Landscape Resilience Investment Program and the Department of Natural Resources Executive Director’s Office. It will support large-scale wildfire mitigation projects aimed at protecting life, property, and infrastructure in high-priority areas.

The project will focus on two key zones in the Three Mile and Four Mile areas in south and directly south of Glenwood Springs, which were identified as high-risk in the Garfield County and Glenwood Springs Fire District Community Wildfire Protection Plans. These areas face significant wildfire threats due to dense vegetation, high hazard ratings, and vulnerable populations, including low-income families and senior citizens.

“This grant represents a pivotal moment for wildfire resilience in our valley,” Angie Davlyn, executive director of the Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative, said in the release. “The Roaring Fork Valley faces increasing wildfire threats, and this funding enables us to take bold, coordinated action to safeguard our communities and natural resources. By addressing these high-risk areas, we are not only mitigating immediate dangers but also laying the groundwork for a more resilient future. This collaboration sets a powerful example of how shared commitment can drive meaningful, life-saving change.”

The collaborative’s projects subcommittee, made up of 21 representatives from 10 agencies — including local fire districts, the U.S. Forest Service, the Colorado State Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, counties, and nonprofits — selected the focus areas based on wildfire risk data. Planned treatments include mastication, roadside clearing, and defensible space creation.

The grant will also support additional mitigation work identified through the Wildfire Ready Action Plan, which evaluates the vulnerability of local water resources and infrastructure to post-wildfire impacts. The Roaring Fork watershed is considered one of the highest-risk areas in the state.

“Wildfire is a growing threat to our region, and we must act decisively to protect our community,” Glenwood Springs Fire Department Chief Joseph Deras said in the release. “This grant provides the resources needed to implement critical mitigation projects and safeguard Glenwood Springs residents, particularly those in socially vulnerable areas.”

The funding comes amid increasing concerns about wildfire threats across the West. Recent wildfires in California have underscored the risks of unchecked fire hazards and the need for proactive mitigation efforts.

The collaborative must raise a $250,000 match over the next three years to fully utilize the grant.

“This grant is a testament to the power of collaboration,” Glenwood Springs Fire Department Emergency Services Coordinator Mina Bolton said in the release. “By working together across jurisdictions and agencies, we can significantly reduce wildfire risk and protect the lives and livelihoods of Glenwood Springs residents.”

For more information, visit http://www.RFVwildfire.org.