Community Wildfire Mitigation Grant

In service of the City Council's strategic goals and priorities, the City has developed a grant program to support the community by providing financial resources to eligible community members to conduct wildfire mitigation projects and reduce the risk of wildfire in the community.

History of Wildfire Mitigation in Castle Pines

The City of Castle Pines began strategic mitigation efforts in 2022, which included collaborating with the Castle Pines North Metro District and various Homeowner Associations to reduce hazardous wildfire fuels in high-priority areas utilizing goat mitigation. These efforts successfully treated 25 acres of gamble oak over a five-month period. The City also hosted two Slash events at Elk Ridge Park in 2022, where residents have the opportunity to drop off yard debris for free.

In 2023, the City continued these efforts by completing two more large wildfire mitigation projects covering approximately 33 acres and announcing the first Community Wildfire Mitigation Grant funding cycle.

As wildfire mitigation efforts continue, the City encourages the community to participate in efforts to keep the community safe and reduce the risk of wildfire.

Importance of Fire Mitigation

The Douglas County Hazard Mitigation Plan has identified wildfire as the top risk in Castle Pines, and the Colorado State Forest Service has identified Castle Pines within Colorado’s Wildland-Urban Interface. These identifications indicate the need for wildfire mitigation in order to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildland fire hazards and protect the community. City Council has identified wildfire mitigation as a Council priority to protect the Castle Pines community.

Grant Details

Homeowner associations (HOAs) and individual residents can apply for wildfire mitigation funding. The City will accept funding requests for up to $5,000 from an HOA and up to $250 from a resident. All funding requests require a minimum match of 50% from all applicants. However, providing a higher match percentage will score higher.

This means that if a resident has a wildfire mitigation project expected to cost $500 or more, they would be eligible to ask for the full $250 of City funds.

Additional Information

      • Projects should focus on open space and vegetation mitigation
      • Any planted plants must be of a species on the approved Wildfire Resistant Plant List
      • Participating in Slash Mulch programs to dispose of any wood materials, tree limbs, shrubs, or brush is strongly encouraged
      • If your project is selected, funds will be reimbursed after completion of the project. In order to receive reimbursement, a final report, before and after pictures, and proof of payment or receipt(s) must be submitted.

2024 Funding Cycle Timeline

Applications release: February 14, 2024.

Applications close: March 29, 2024, at 11:49 pm.

Notice of Awards: April 19, 2024.

Project completion and final report submitted: No later than December 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

FAQs

Who can apply for a community wildfire mitigation grant?

Homeowner associations and individual Castle Pines residents can apply for this grant. However, the applicant must be a Castle Pines community member, and the project must occur within the City of Castle Pines boundaries.

If I don't apply this cycle, will I have an opportunity to apply again?

In alignment of the City Councils strategic goals, it is anticipated that funding will be allocated yearly to continue to fund community wildfire grants. It is expected that this grant program will continue in 2024, and community members will have an opportunity to apply next year.

How much is budgeted to allocate to grant applications?

$30,000 is budgeted in 2024 to fund community wildfire mitigation projects!

How can I learn more about how I can protect my home from wildfire?

Please review our Wildfire Resources tab to review all the possible ways to reduce the risk of your home. Also, be on the lookout for additional wildfire education events in the community.

Guidelines, Application, and Final Report

For more information about the grant, please review the Community Wildfire Grant Guidelines.

Applications

All projects must be completed, and the final report must be submitted by December 31, 2024, to receive reimbursement if awarded. The 2024 applications must be submitted by March 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

Final Report

A final report is required to receive reimbursement at the pre-approved percentage of the total project cost, up to the maximum allowable grant award. In order to receive reimbursement for an awarded project, a final report must be submitted by December 31, 2024. This final summary must include a copy of reimbursable receipts (proof of payment) and after photos to be eligible for reimbursement.

Application Resources

Additional Wildfire Risk Reduction Resources

City of Castle Pines Wildfire Mitigation Events

Slash Mulch Event- May 11, 2024

Slash Mulch Event- July 21, 2024

 

2023 Awarded Projects

For the 2023 funding cycle $28,112 was awarded to 12 projects. This consisted of 6 HOA's and 6 Castle Pines residents. Below are a few completed projects.

Villa Carriage at Pineridge HOA

Mugo Pines, dead trees, bushes, and Juniper plants were removed throughout the community. Villa Carriage HOA met with members of South Metro Fire to receive recommendations on the best practices to implement a fire-resistant neighborhood and included these recommendations in their 2023 Community Wildfire Grant project.

Juniper removal at Village Carriage HOA before and after pictures

Forest Park HOA

This project removed ladder fuels throughout the open space, pruned large pines and removed ladder fuels from around them, thinned gambel oaks, and removed dead trees, willows, and accumulated deadfall.

Before during and after pictures of willow removal for the 2023 Wildfire Mitigation Grant project for Forest Park HOA

HOA 2 Resident

Cleaning pine needles and pine cones, trimming trees, pruning shrubs, trimming trees off of the house, and removing a dead tree.

Before and after photos of HOA 1 resident wildfire mitigation for community grant project

Forest Park Resident

Removal of overgrown bushes and dead scrub oak, cleaned scrub oak growth below two sets of oaks and removed ladder fuel oaks around one large pine.

Fire mitigation on Forest Park residents property before and after photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Background

In service of the City Council's strategic goals and priorities, the City has developed a grant program to support the community by providing financial resources to eligible community members to conduct wildfire mitigation projects and reduce the risk of wildfire in the community.

History of Wildfire Mitigation in Castle Pines

The City of Castle Pines began strategic mitigation efforts in 2022, which included collaborating with the Castle Pines North Metro District and various Homeowner Associations to reduce hazardous wildfire fuels in high-priority areas utilizing goat mitigation. These efforts successfully treated 25 acres of gamble oak over a five-month period. The City also hosted two Slash events at Elk Ridge Park in 2022, where residents have the opportunity to drop off yard debris for free.

In 2023, the City continued these efforts by completing two more large wildfire mitigation projects covering approximately 33 acres and announcing the first Community Wildfire Mitigation Grant funding cycle.

As wildfire mitigation efforts continue, the City encourages the community to participate in efforts to keep the community safe and reduce the risk of wildfire.

Importance of Fire Mitigation

The Douglas County Hazard Mitigation Plan has identified wildfire as the top risk in Castle Pines, and the Colorado State Forest Service has identified Castle Pines within Colorado’s Wildland-Urban Interface. These identifications indicate the need for wildfire mitigation in order to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildland fire hazards and protect the community. City Council has identified wildfire mitigation as a Council priority to protect the Castle Pines community.

Grant Details and Timeline

Grant Details

Homeowner associations (HOAs) and individual residents can apply for wildfire mitigation funding. The City will accept funding requests for up to $5,000 from an HOA and up to $250 from a resident. All funding requests require a minimum match of 50% from all applicants. However, providing a higher match percentage will score higher.

This means that if a resident has a wildfire mitigation project expected to cost $500 or more, they would be eligible to ask for the full $250 of City funds.

Additional Information

      • Projects should focus on open space and vegetation mitigation
      • Any planted plants must be of a species on the approved Wildfire Resistant Plant List
      • Participating in Slash Mulch programs to dispose of any wood materials, tree limbs, shrubs, or brush is strongly encouraged
      • If your project is selected, funds will be reimbursed after completion of the project. In order to receive reimbursement, a final report, before and after pictures, and proof of payment or receipt(s) must be submitted.

2024 Funding Cycle Timeline

Applications release: February 14, 2024.

Applications close: March 29, 2024, at 11:49 pm.

Notice of Awards: April 19, 2024.

Project completion and final report submitted: No later than December 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

FAQs

Who can apply for a community wildfire mitigation grant?

Homeowner associations and individual Castle Pines residents can apply for this grant. However, the applicant must be a Castle Pines community member, and the project must occur within the City of Castle Pines boundaries.

If I don't apply this cycle, will I have an opportunity to apply again?

In alignment of the City Councils strategic goals, it is anticipated that funding will be allocated yearly to continue to fund community wildfire grants. It is expected that this grant program will continue in 2024, and community members will have an opportunity to apply next year.

How much is budgeted to allocate to grant applications?

$30,000 is budgeted in 2024 to fund community wildfire mitigation projects!

How can I learn more about how I can protect my home from wildfire?

Please review our Wildfire Resources tab to review all the possible ways to reduce the risk of your home. Also, be on the lookout for additional wildfire education events in the community.

Application and Resources

Guidelines, Application, and Final Report

For more information about the grant, please review the Community Wildfire Grant Guidelines.

Applications

All projects must be completed, and the final report must be submitted by December 31, 2024, to receive reimbursement if awarded. The 2024 applications must be submitted by March 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

Final Report

A final report is required to receive reimbursement at the pre-approved percentage of the total project cost, up to the maximum allowable grant award. In order to receive reimbursement for an awarded project, a final report must be submitted by December 31, 2024. This final summary must include a copy of reimbursable receipts (proof of payment) and after photos to be eligible for reimbursement.

Application Resources

Additional Wildfire Risk Reduction Resources

City of Castle Pines Wildfire Mitigation Events

Slash Mulch Event- May 11, 2024

Slash Mulch Event- July 21, 2024

 

Awarded Projects

2023 Awarded Projects

For the 2023 funding cycle $28,112 was awarded to 12 projects. This consisted of 6 HOA's and 6 Castle Pines residents. Below are a few completed projects.

Villa Carriage at Pineridge HOA

Mugo Pines, dead trees, bushes, and Juniper plants were removed throughout the community. Villa Carriage HOA met with members of South Metro Fire to receive recommendations on the best practices to implement a fire-resistant neighborhood and included these recommendations in their 2023 Community Wildfire Grant project.

Juniper removal at Village Carriage HOA before and after pictures

Forest Park HOA

This project removed ladder fuels throughout the open space, pruned large pines and removed ladder fuels from around them, thinned gambel oaks, and removed dead trees, willows, and accumulated deadfall.

Before during and after pictures of willow removal for the 2023 Wildfire Mitigation Grant project for Forest Park HOA

HOA 2 Resident

Cleaning pine needles and pine cones, trimming trees, pruning shrubs, trimming trees off of the house, and removing a dead tree.

Before and after photos of HOA 1 resident wildfire mitigation for community grant project

Forest Park Resident

Removal of overgrown bushes and dead scrub oak, cleaned scrub oak growth below two sets of oaks and removed ladder fuel oaks around one large pine.

Fire mitigation on Forest Park residents property before and after photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Makenna Shaw

Assistant to the City Manager