Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has announced $8.5 million in Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation grants for 35 projects in 24 counties — including several projects on the Western Slope.

The grant program administered by the Colorado State Forest Service aims to provide funding to assist communities and groups across the state with reducing wildfire risk and promoting forest health, according to a news release. Projects in Garfield, Grand and Routt counties were among those that received funding.

“Colorado has seen firsthand the devastating impacts of wildfires in our communities,” Polis said in a statement. “This funding helps us combat wildfires and comes at a time when Colorado is experiencing record-low snow levels, and severe drought.”

The Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council has been awarded about $570,000 to support two existing positions, the executive director and program manager, and hire a new program associate to coordinate, according to the State Forest Service. The grant funds will also reportedly support the FireAside program and development of a county-wide parcel map for risk assessment.

In Routt County, another project to complete fuels reduction treatments on 193 acres has also received $258,000 in grant funding, according to the State Forest Service.

In Garfield County, the Middle Colorado Watershed Council has also been awarded $262,000 to hire a program manager to lead and expand the Colorado River Wildfire Collaborative.

The Grand County Wildfire Council has also been awarded $40,000 to hire a seasonal employee to assist with education and outreach.
The grant program has a matching requirement, requiring recipients to match 50% of the project total through cash or in-kind donations, or 25% if the community is an area with fewer economic resources as defined by the Colorado Forest Atlas, according to the release.