Fire Protection District Grant

Boulder County’s Emergency Services Grant Program supports fire protection districts and departments that serve the rural and mountainous regions of the county. The program is funded by the Boulder County Emergency Services Sales and Use Tax and aims to enhance public safety through strategic investments in emergency response capacity. The Fall 2025 grant round, now open, will distribute up to $2 million to eligible agencies to improve their operational effectiveness and readiness. Grants may be used for a range of critical needs including equipment purchases or upgrades, infrastructure enhancements, capital projects, and specialized emergency personnel training. Proposals that improve inter-agency coordination or reflect values of equity and inclusion are encouraged. While there is no formal cap on individual funding requests, applicants are advised to prioritize their proposed items, as requests may be partially awarded depending on demand and available funds. This grant cycle is limited to fire protection districts and departments that operate within Boulder County’s rural and mountain areas. If a fire district also serves jurisdictions outside of the county, it must clearly demonstrate how the requested funding will be used to benefit Boulder County residents specifically. Only one application per agency will be accepted, and it should include all proposed purchases or projects. The application portal opened in early September and closes at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Applications must be submitted online, and all agencies must register as new users in the system regardless of whether they have applied in past cycles. Receipts and documentation for awarded grants must be submitted within one year of disbursement. Funding recommendations are reviewed by the Emergency Services Grant Program Advisory Committee—comprised of local residents—and submitted to the Boulder County Board of Commissioners for final approval. Since 2023, the program has awarded over $3 million, with past grants ranging from $16,000 to $202,000 per agency. Projects are evaluated based on need, agency size, financial capacity, funding history, and the scope and clarity of the request. The program does not require matching funds, though applicants are welcome to indicate if other funding sources will supplement the proposed project. For full application instructions and access to the online submission portal, eligible fire districts should consult the Boulder County Emergency Services website or refer to the Fall 2025 eligibility criteria document.

Prioritize multiple funding requests in order of need. Indicate if other funding is available. Submit early to avoid technical issues. Register even if you applied in the past.