Programs
Wildfire Mitigation Projects
Protecting our communities through grants, partnerships, and on-the-ground action.
SPAWP serves as a fundraising and grant administration organization — we secure reimbursement grants and manage the implementation of wildfire mitigation and land recovery projects for both private landowners and public initiatives.
How Our Grants Work
SPAWP does not receive or distribute grant funds in advance. We help landowners and communities apply for matching reimbursement grants for approved mitigation expenses. Property owners complete the work, and SPAWP facilitates reimbursement through the grant program.
Our Story
Active Projects
FRWRM 2025 — Home Ignition Zone Assessments
CSFS Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation Program
This grant funds SPAWP's trained Mitigation Specialist to conduct professional property assessments at no cost. Each assessment identifies specific vulnerabilities and provides a prioritized action plan.
Sign Up for a Free Assessment →
FRWRM 2024 — Cuchara Pass WUI Mitigation
CSFS Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation Program
$628,440
Targets the Cuchara Pass wildland-urban interface, one of the highest fire-risk areas in the region. Includes forest thinning, hazardous fuels reduction, and defensible space corridors. Integrates with USFS and CSFS efforts for landscape-scale protection.
FRWRM 2023 — Cuchara Valley & Navajo Ranch
CSFS Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation Program
$679,787
Addresses dense, fire-prone forests in the Cuchara Valley and Navajo Ranch area. Complements federal and state efforts to create connected, landscape-scale fire protection across jurisdictional boundaries.
CSFS Live Wildfire Ready Outreach Grant
Colorado State Forest Service
Funds SPAWP's Mitigation Specialist to conduct Tools of the Trade workshops, wildfire preparedness presentations, and educational tabling at community gatherings.
Highway 12 WUI Mitigation Project
USDA/USFS & CSFS
$300,000
Highway 12 is the only evacuation route for much of the Cuchara Valley. This project creates a critical fire break that protects homes and infrastructure while ensuring the road remains passable during wildfire.
Landowner participation: Eligible landowners along Hwy 12 can receive reimbursement for approved mitigation expenses. Contact Jared Fleming.
USDA/USFS Slash Burn Pile Program
USDA/USFS, Huerfano County Emergency Management
SPAWP facilitates community slash collection and controlled burning in partnership with federal and county agencies. Property owners transport fire-prone debris to designated sites where USFS supervises controlled burns.
See upcoming slash collection dates →
SPAWP in the News
KRDO: Colorado Forests in Jeopardy
KRDO covered the CSFS annual report on increasing wildfire risk — featuring the kind of mitigation work SPAWP is leading in the Spanish Peaks region.
Watch on YouTube →
Completed Work
Previous Projects
These completed projects laid the foundation for SPAWP’s current work.
BLM-CO Forests & Woodlands Grant (2020–2024)
Grant: $55,000
Purpose: Fuels treatment, erosion control, and forest restoration in the Cucharas River and Huerfano River watersheds.
Work completed: Erosion mitigation in Majors Ranch and Middle Creek areas. Removal of dead and Ips beetle-infested trees to restore forest health.
Partners: Bureau of Land Management — Colorado (BLM-CO)
AIM CO-CO Pass-Through Grant (2022–2023)
Purpose: Increase wildfire mitigation capacity and create employment for mitigation specialists.
Work completed: Funded a part-time Executive Director and Wildfire Mitigation Team. Established three new Firewise Communities and revitalized one existing community. Provided S-212 sawyer training and HIZ assessments.
Partners: Coalitions & Collaboratives (CO-CO), National Association of State Foresters, U.S. Forest Service
FRWRM Grant — Initial Award (2022)
Grant: $63,092
Purpose: Reduce high-risk wildfire fuel loads in key areas.
Work completed: Cleared dead and decaying trees, removed overgrown vegetation near homes and roads, expanded fuel breaks.
Partners: Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS)
Highway 12 — Red Hill Shaded Fuel Break (2022)
Grant: $3,500 — AIM-COCO & public donations
Scope: Thinning and shaded fuel break across 14 acres along Hwy 12.
Work completed: Reduced tree density, created a demonstration area showcasing proper mitigation techniques.
Partners: Huerfano County Economic Development, Cuchara Hermosa, CO-CO
NFPA Wildfire Education & Home Hardening
Purpose: Educate homeowners and firefighters on wildfire prevention best practices.
Work: Fire safety training, community workshops, Firewise practices promotion, home hardening certification.
Partners: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Huerfano County Emergency Management