About SPAWP

A Community-Driven Approach to Wildfire Protection

The Spanish Peaks Alliance for Wildfire Protection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partnership working to reduce wildfire risk and build community resilience across Southern Colorado. We bring together homeowners, volunteers, government agencies, and conservation partners to protect the places and people we love.

Our Story

How We Started

In the summer of 2018, the Spring Creek Fire scorched over 108,000 acres across Southern Colorado — one of the largest wildfires in the state’s history. It destroyed 140 buildings, forced thousands to evacuate, and left lasting scars on the landscape.

But it also lit a spark of a different kind.

In the aftermath, residents came together with a shared realization: the next fire isn’t a question of if, but when. SPAWP was formed to turn that conviction into organized, sustained action.

Since our founding, we’ve grown from a small group of concerned neighbors into a regional nonprofit that has secured over $1.3 million in grant funding, treated more than 1,100 acres of high-risk forest, and built a volunteer network that spans seven counties.

What Drives Us

Our Mission

"To collaboratively protect the Spanish Peaks area and wildlife from the impact of destructive events."

At SPAWP, we turn local knowledge and neighbor-to-neighbor connection into tangible wildfire protection. Our work spans three interconnected program areas:

Wildfire Mitigation Projects

Securing and administering grants that fund forest thinning, fuel breaks, and defensible space projects across the region.

Neighborhood Ambassador Program

Training and supporting community volunteers who lead wildfire preparedness in their neighborhoods.

Education & Outreach

Delivering workshops, events, and resources that help property owners reduce their wildfire risk.

Our Approach

What We Work Toward

SPAWP uses a community-led approach that includes:

Implementing a regional plan to reduce high-density fuels in the wildland-urban interface

Creating fire-adapted communities through volunteer engagement and education

Administering grant-funded mitigation projects for private and public lands

Providing free Home Ignition Zone assessments for property owners

Facilitating partnerships between homeowners, agencies, and wildfire professionals

Advocating for sustained wildfire preparedness funding at the state and federal level

The Story Behind Our Logo

Our logo reflects what we’re here to protect — and what we stand for.

The iconic silhouette of the Spanish Peaks (Wahatoya) stands at the heart of our work, with snow-capped white peaks symbolizing the vital watershed that supports our region’s drinking water and ecosystems.

Looming above is the red flame, representing the ever-present wildfire threat.
Flowing beneath is a blue river, carefully shaped like an “S” for SPAWP — a visual reminder of our commitment to protecting soil, slopes, streams, and society from devastating wildfires.

And the circle that frames it all? That’s community. Everything we do — every project, every workshop, every volunteer hour — is held together by the people who show up and take care of this place together.

Our Service Area

Where We Work

SPAWP serves communities across seven counties in the Spanish Peaks region of Southern Colorado. Our wildfire mitigation projects are concentrated in Huerfano, Las Animas, and Costilla counties, while our Neighborhood Ambassador Program and education efforts reach across a broader area.

Mitigation Project Area
Huerfano County — La Veta, Cuchara, Walsenburg, Navajo Ranch
Las Animas County — Trinidad, Stonewall, Monument Park
Costilla County — San Luis, Fort Garland
Alamosa County — Alamosa, Great Sand Dunes area

Ambassador Program Area
Huerfano County — La Veta, Cuchara, Walsenburg
Las Animas County — Trinidad, Stonewall
Costilla County — San Luis, Fort Garland
Pueblo County — Pueblo, Rye, Beulah
Custer County — Westcliffe, Silver Cliff
Teller County — Cripple Creek, Woodland Park
Fremont County — Cañon City, Florence

Grants Secured

$ 0 M+

Acres Treated

0 +

Counties Served

Hwy 12 Fire Break

0 mi

Free HIZ Assessments

Accountability

What We Measure

At SPAWP, we believe that real progress is built on relationships, education, and action.

Empowering Volunteers & Community Leaders

Every hour spent clearing brush, leading a project, or helping a neighbor contributes to wildfire safety — and supports the matching goals of many grant-funded programs.

Building a Connected & Resilient Network

Whether you attend an event, volunteer, or become an Ambassador, you're part of a growing network committed to wildfire preparedness. Strong communities are fire-adapted communities.

Sustaining Our Mission Through Local Support

From individual donations to local business sponsors, community support keeps our programs running. Every gift sustains critical efforts — from on-the-ground mitigation to outreach and coordination.

Expanding Wildfire Education & Outreach

Knowledge saves lives. We offer free tools, events, and resources to help individuals and neighborhoods understand wildfire risk, prepare their properties, and act with confidence.

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

We work hand-in-hand with fire departments, local governments, nonprofits, and landowners. These relationships ensure our efforts are well-coordinated, scalable, and grounded in community needs.

Increasing the Acres We Help Protect

We track our impact in acres treated, homes supported, and landscapes improved. Each year, we expand our reach to protect more forests, evacuation routes, and communities from the threat of wildfire.