$7 Million in Grants for Wildfire Prevention Now Available for Communities in Northern Colorado
In an effort to protect communities from the threat of wildfires, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) has announced the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) grant program. This competitive, cost-share grant program aims to reduce wildfire risk to homes, infrastructure, and water supplies, while also promoting healthier, more resilient forests.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants for the FRWRM grant program include local nonprofits, utilities, fire protection districts, community organizations, and other entities that can serve as or designate a fiscal agent. Participating landowners must agree to the program's reimbursement and reporting requirements.
Project Scope
Projects must focus on community-level actions that reduce wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), promote forest restoration and health, and utilize woody material for forest products or biomass energy. Examples of eligible projects include defensible space creation, watershed treatment, forest thinning, and forest product utilization. Projects addressing multiple sector problems to maximize co-benefits are prioritized.
Matching Funds
The program operates as a cost-share grant, so applicants must provide matching funds. The exact details of the matching fund ratios or amounts can be found in the 2025-2026 Request for Applications (RFA).
Application and Deadlines
Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle are accepted electronically via local CSFS Field Offices until October 9, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. MDT. Project proposals must adhere to RFA guidance detailed on the CSFS website and related application materials.
Additional Considerations
Proposals that align with local fire risk reduction policies will receive added consideration. Additional preference will be given to proposals that leverage outside funding sources. The use of Colorado Youth or Veterans Corps labor in proposals may increase their chances of being selected. Protecting community water supplies is a priority for the grant program.
Decision Announcement
A technical advisory panel will review proposals, with funding decisions announced by March 31, 2026.
For full details including detailed eligibility, matching fund requirements, project examples, and scoring criteria, applicants should review the official FRWRM RFA and application instructions available from the Colorado State Forest Service at csfs.colostate.edu.
According to Matt McCombs, state forester and director of the Colorado State Forest Service, "Colorado communities are essential partners in protecting homes, infrastructure, and lives from wildfire." By participating in the FRWRM grant program, communities can take an active role in reducing wildfire risk and promoting forest health.
- The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) invites local nonprofits, utilities, fire protection districts, community organizations, and other entities in northern Colorado to apply for the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) grant program.
- Eligible projects under this program should focus on community-level actions in Fort Collins and surrounding areas, reducing wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), promoting forest restoration and health, and utilizing woody material for forest products or biomass energy.
- Applicants interested in the 2025-2026 cycle should remember that this is a cost-share grant, requiring matching funds, with details on matching fund ratios or amounts available in the 2025-2026 Request for Applications (RFA).
- In addition to matching funds, proposals prioritized by the FRWRM grant program include those that align with local fire risk reduction policies, leverage outside funding sources, and use Colorado Youth or Veterans Corps labor.
- Protecting community water supplies is a top priority for this grant program, and proposals focusing on this aspect may increase their chances of being selected.
- Successful proposals will be reviewed by a technical advisory panel, with funding decisions announced by March 31, 2026, according to Matt McCombs, state forester and director of the Colorado State Forest Service, who emphasizes the importance of Colorado communities in protecting homes, infrastructure, and lives from wildfire.
