Larimer County Puts $4K On The Line To Shield Mountain Homes From Wildfire

Mountain homeowners in Larimer County’s Red Feather Lakes area just got a new lifeline in the fight against wildfire risk, with the launch of a targeted mitigation program that can cover thousands of dollars in work on private property.

The Home Ignition Zone Mitigation Assistance Program (HIZ MAP) is now open to eligible parcels, offering contractor-coordinated defensible-space projects for residents in participating mountain communities. Homeowners are being invited to apply and to schedule Home Ignition Zone assessments with their local fire districts.

Larimer County announced the rollout on its official Facebook page this Thursday, noting that HIZ MAP is part of the broader Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project. The county outlines which mountain communities are eligible and shares application details for homeowners who want in.

What the Program Covers

The Home Ignition Zone Mitigation Assistance Program will pay for prioritized defensible-space and vegetation-management work on qualifying properties, covering up to $4,000 in contractor-implemented mitigation per parcel. According to the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, the funding is aimed squarely at fuel reduction and does not cover structural home-hardening upgrades such as roofs, vents, or gutters. Once a property is selected, a program specialist works with the owner to lock in the final scope of work before any crews show up.

Assessments and How to Sign Up

There is a catch before the chainsaws and chippers roll in. To be considered for HIZ MAP, a property must already have a completed Home Ignition Zone Assessment (HIZA) from the local fire district. A HIZA is an educational, voluntary walk-through that helps a homeowner figure out what mitigation work should come first.

The Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District explains how to schedule these assessments and emphasizes that property owners must invite assessors onto their land. Larimer County's Wildfire Partner Program offers free assessments and guidance of its own.

Submitting an application for HIZ MAP does not guarantee that work will be funded. Homeowners whose parcels are selected will be required to sign a right-of-entry form before mitigation crews begin any on-the-ground work.

Part of a Bigger USDA-Funded Effort

HIZ MAP is one piece of the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project, a multi-year effort co-managed by Larimer County and the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, funded through a USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant. The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed notes that the grant supports roadside treatments, community education and capacity building across Cherokee Meadows, Crystal Lakes, Glacier View, and Poudre Canyon through 2029.

Next Steps for Homeowners

Homeowners who want to tap into the new funding are being told to start with a Home Ignition Zone Assessment through their local fire district, then submit an application through the HIZ MAP intake process outlined on the project pages.

Questions can be sent by email to Kea Klug, HIZ Program Specialist, at [email protected]. Larimer County's Wildfire Partner Program also maintains resources on assessments and mitigation tax credits for front-range properties, for residents who want to stack every possible advantage before the next wildfire threat rolls in.