Wildfire Mitigation Incentives For Local Governments Grant Program

How it works

HB22-1011 establishes the Wildfire Mitigation Incentives for Local Government Grant Program in the Colorado State Forest Service. The program provides state funding assistance in the form of grant awards to local governments. Those grants are intended to help local governments either:

• match revenue raised from a dedicated local revenue source, or
• expand existing local programs on a long-term basis.

The goal is to support local-level forest management and wildfire mitigation efforts.

What the money covers

The bill summary says eligible wildfire mitigation efforts may include, without limitation:

• projects that promote fuel breaks
• forest thinning
• reducing the amount or extent of fuels that contribute to wildfires
• outreach and education efforts directed at property owners and other members of the public
• any other forest management or wildfire mitigation means the Forest Service determines appropriate for funding

The page does not describe a homeowner reimbursement or direct application process. Any benefit to homeowners would come indirectly through local-government programs funded by this grant.

Amounts and matching

• The act creates a fund in the state treasury for the program.
• On July 1, 2022, the state treasurer was required to transfer $10 million from the general fund to that fund.
• Awarded funding must match either:
  • revenues raised by the local government from a dedicated revenue source, or
  • existing long-term local programs used for forest management or wildfire mitigation.
• A local government may still qualify without a dedicated revenue source if it operates an existing long-term program, project, funding mechanism, or other creative and innovative approach for wildfire mitigation and forest health.

How to apply

The Forest Service must adopt policies, procedures, and guidelines, including:

• procedures and timelines for eligible recipients to apply
• criteria for grant eligibility and grant amounts
• reporting requirements for grant recipients

The page also says the Forest Service will prepare educational materials, post them on its official website, and conduct outreach to local governments in priority wildfire-mitigation areas.

Timing and deadlines

• The program was established in 2022.
• Policies, procedures, and guidelines were required on or before 2023-03-01.
• Annual reports are due on or before November 1 each year beginning in 2024.
• The program is repealed effective 2027-09-01.