In Boulder's latest move to combat the escalating wildfire threat, the City has unveiled its new Wildfire Resilience Assistance Program aimed at homeowners living on the city's western edge. This initiative provides cost-sharing assistance for property improvements designed to bolster wildfire resilience.
Under this program, certain homeowners could receive up to $1,000 from the city, with increased funding available for income-qualifying property owners. According to Boulder Fire-Rescue Chief Michael Calderazzo, wildfire resilience is a "shared responsibility," the program is a crucial part in readying the city against future wildfires. The Climate Tax, approved by voters in 2022, is the source of the funds allocated to these efforts, with plans to devote as much as $380,000 this calendar year specifically toward this program.
The first step for residents is to check if their property falls within the program boundary by visiting the city's eligibility website. Once verified, homeowners can register for a Detailed Home Assessment to identify wildfire resilience work that qualifies under the program. These assessments are available to all residential properties within city limits.
Alongside cost-sharing for homeowners, Boulder is also investing in community-wide resilience strategies, like the Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Perimeter Mowing Program and increased emergency messaging systems. "We are excited about this opportunity to help our community become more wildfire ready," OSMP Director Dan Burke said, as per the City of Boulder. The city is also working on improving the wildfire resiliency of structures and landscapes in the Ponderosa manufactured home community.
Residents who wish to stay informed during emergencies can opt into the city's text alert notification system. By texting Bocoinfo to 888777, members of the community can receive text alerts during large-scale emergencies. This is one among several measures being employed to amp up wildfire preparedness and resilience in Boulder as it faces the growing risk posed by wildfires.
