Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support Grant

The Boulder County Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant Program (SFMG) provides cost-share funding through competitive grants to support large landscape and community-wide forest and grassland management projects. Funded by the county’s voter-approved wildfire mitigation sales and use tax, which went into effect in 2023, the program aims to leverage other federal, state, and local funding sources. The program's mission is aligned with the county's strategic priorities to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, protect water supplies, and promote resilient ecosystems, directly addressing the environmental and safety concerns of its residents. The target beneficiaries include local government entities, private utilities, ditch companies, water providers, state agencies, Homeowners Associations, and non-profit organizations in Boulder County. The program's impact goals are to mitigate wildfire risks across private, local government, and federal lands, safeguarding communities and natural resources. This includes protecting critical water supplies and fostering ecosystems that can better withstand and recover from wildfires. The program prioritizes fuels reduction by various methods, including mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, mowing, and grazing. Specific focuses include the creation or maintenance of fuel breaks, removal of woody materials with utilization plans, and disposal of slash and non-merchantable materials. Cross-boundary projects involving multiple land types are also emphasized, as are updates or development of new Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). For planning grants, a cap of $250,000 is set for the total, with up to five proposals funded annually at a maximum of $50,000 each. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in potential fire intensity and a decrease in the risk of catastrophic wildfires, directly benefiting public safety and property. Measurable results will be seen through the implementation of fuel breaks, successful fuels reduction projects in forests and grasslands, and the development or update of CWPPs. The long-term impact aims to foster more resilient ecosystems and secure water supplies for the community, aligning with a theory of change that proactive, collaborative mitigation efforts lead to enhanced environmental health and community safety.