Support Wildfire Resiliency in Northwest Colorado

We’re half-staffed and full-hearted.

Routt County is roughly half national forest and it's ready to burn.  As our local foresters and fire professionals say, it's not a matter of 'if,' it's a matter of when...

In 2020 and 2021, Colorado burned like never before.  Cameron Peak.  East Troublesome. Marshall.  One after another, massive wildfires tore through our communities, all while we were trying to stay safe through a pandemic. These weren’t just far-off disasters—they were personal, terrifying, and they affected us all in one way or another.

That’s when we got started.  Our organization was founded in 2020 to help Routt County create resilient, fire-adapted communities so that the potential impacts of wildfire are minimized.

For the first few years, we operated on hope and hustle.  We were run by an all-volunteer board with no paid staff, just a deep sense of urgency.  Today, we’re a passionate team of two full-time staffers and a summer intern, doing the work that really calls for a staff of four with some seasonal help.  And now, we’re facing financial uncertainty.

In the interest of conservation and program continuity, we've reduced our operating budget by 20% - a huge blow to our momentum.  Even more concerning: we’re bracing for a potential 80% reduction in our federal funding over the next five years.  We had been planning on those funds to help us grow, expand our reach and build new programs... to meet the public need.

Instead, we’ve had to make some hard decisions:

• No staff expansion, though we urgently need it.

• Reduced community programs - less free community chipping, lower rebate amounts, fewer resources for trained volunteer ambassadors.

• A mobile home community initiative is now just a singular pilot program.

• Our Jump Start program for HOAs?  On hold.

Demand has only increased.  Thanks to a skittish insurance industry and rising wildfire risk, the need for wildfire mitigation, community outreach and resources for residents is greater than ever.

To keep moving forward, we’ve been scrappy - launching revenue-neutral programs like Home Ignition Zone Evaluations, a key component to any community wildfire mitigation effort. We've partnered with our local college to develop an internship program, which saves us money, develops local talent and helps prepare the next generation for some of the challenges they're facing. But it’s not enough.

What keeps us up at night?  The notion that we won’t be able to meet the local desire and appetite for our services.  We’re already outpaced and stretched too thin.  

That’s where you come in... and every bit helps.

Here’s how your support will be put to work, in order of priority:

• $10,000 – One-time setup cost for our Home Ignition Zone Evaluation platform: hardware, training, and systems to boost productivity, enhance engagement with homeowners, and support our local fire districts.

• $30,000 – Seed money to expand our staff - there are some incredible people here locally who have been laid off due to federal cuts, and we’d love to soften their landing.

• Anything else above and beyond - we'll partner with Yampa Valley Community Foundation to start a Long-Term Wildfire Disaster Recovery Fund, helping us respond quickly when we need it most.

Why do we do what we do?

Because of our communities, our people and their stories.

Because of the thank-you notes and heartfelt appreciation we feel every day.

Because resilience is how we address climate change at the community level.

Because these are issues we can all agree on:  protecting our homes and communities, promoting healthier forests, and working to ensure a stable future.

We building trust, connection, community and a shared vision for resilience.

And with your help, we can keep doing it.

Thanks for your support - - - please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to discuss any of these important issues further.

With gratitude,

Josh Hankes, Executive Director

josh.hankes@routtwildfire.org