Commissioners back Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s wildfire-collaborative grant application
September 15, 2025 | Garfield County, Colorado
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The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners voted to provide a letter of support for an application by the Middle Colorado Watershed Council seeking Colorado State Forest Service funding for forest restoration and wildfire-risk mitigation work.
Kate Collins, on behalf of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council, told the board the council aims to secure a three‑year, $350,000 grant to hire a program manager for the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative, and that recent awards — including a $47,000 AIM grant — strengthen their matching capacity. Collins said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and alignment with local Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) are part of the application requirements.
The nut graf: county leaders were told the collaborative now has a broader partnership and financial matches from local fire districts and nonprofit grants that could be used to leverage the state grant and help hire dedicated capacity to coordinate cross-jurisdictional wildfire mitigation projects.
Newcastle representative Dave Reynolds and others emphasized local risk. Reynolds described concerns about Elk Creek watershed and the need for cross-border mitigation, saying the collaborative has more than 35 signatories to a memorandum of understanding and that “to do this, it takes money, it takes energy, it takes effort.”
Commissioners signaled strong support. One commissioner noted large portions of the county face moderate- to high-risk wildfire exposure and said they supported the letter “100%.” The board approved the letter of support by voice vote.
Staff and applicants emphasized the application will be strengthened by the local matching funds and by showing alignment with CWPP priorities. Collins said the AIM grant award and other matches are being combined to create required leverage for the larger state grant.
The board’s approval directs staff to finalize and sign the support letter; no budget appropriation was made at the meeting.
Kate Collins, on behalf of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council, told the board the council aims to secure a three‑year, $350,000 grant to hire a program manager for the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative, and that recent awards — including a $47,000 AIM grant — strengthen their matching capacity. Collins said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and alignment with local Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) are part of the application requirements.
The nut graf: county leaders were told the collaborative now has a broader partnership and financial matches from local fire districts and nonprofit grants that could be used to leverage the state grant and help hire dedicated capacity to coordinate cross-jurisdictional wildfire mitigation projects.
Newcastle representative Dave Reynolds and others emphasized local risk. Reynolds described concerns about Elk Creek watershed and the need for cross-border mitigation, saying the collaborative has more than 35 signatories to a memorandum of understanding and that “to do this, it takes money, it takes energy, it takes effort.”
Commissioners signaled strong support. One commissioner noted large portions of the county face moderate- to high-risk wildfire exposure and said they supported the letter “100%.” The board approved the letter of support by voice vote.
Staff and applicants emphasized the application will be strengthened by the local matching funds and by showing alignment with CWPP priorities. Collins said the AIM grant award and other matches are being combined to create required leverage for the larger state grant.
The board’s approval directs staff to finalize and sign the support letter; no budget appropriation was made at the meeting.
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