What We Do

Volunteer Development

Recruiting, training, and deploying a cadre of locally certified volunteers capable of conducting property hazard assessments, assisting neighbors with mitigation work, and operating chain saws. Firewise USA requires documented community volunteer hours as part of certification — our volunteer program fulfills that requirement while building lasting local capacity.

Community Education & Outreach

Ongoing public education on forest health, home hardening, CWRC compliance, and the evolving insurance market. Speaker series, community forums, and presence at local events. Starting July 2026, Colorado's HB 25-1182 gives residents the right to see and challenge their wildfire risk score — FORGE will help every resident exercise those rights.

Wildfire Fuels Mitigation

Hands-on coordination of fuels reduction on public and private lands. This includes organizing volunteer labor, partnering with professional contractors, establishing chipper programs, and conducting large-scale fire break work. Partners include CUSP, Mile High Youth Corps, Team Rubicon, COSWAP, and the Colorado State Forestry Service.

Community Wildfire Protection Planning

FORGE will update and create a Ute Pass CWPP — the foundational document required for all state and federal grant funding. The existing Fire District CWPP was written in 2007. A current CWPP opens the door to grant opportunities.

Fundraising & Grant Management

FORGE actively pursues funding through federal agencies, state agencies, private foundations, and individual donors. Key grant sources include Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) grants administered through COSWAP and CUSP, and Colorado State Forestry Service programs.