Proactive wildfire mitigation protects residents and can also save taxpayer dollars
Nestled in southern Summit County, the Blue River Valley is a jewel of Colorado’s mountain tourism economy. Its breathtaking views and year-round outdoor recreation attract more than 4.5 million visitors annually. But behind the beauty lies a forest in need of care. The Colorado State Forest Service has been working hard on a series of projects that are restoring a healthy forest, reducing wildfire risk for communities and supporting the local economy.
Since 2021, the CSFS has led a landscape-scale plan to reduce wildfire risks near the towns of Blue River and Breckenridge. By connecting four Good Neighbor Authority projects over time, including the recent completion of the Blue River East project, the CSFS and partners are creating healthier forests that are better able to withstand wildfire and other threats like spruce and pine beetle outbreaks and other insects and disease.
The GNA program allows federal and state agencies to work together on forest management projects and helps foresters complete projects that span land across multiple ownerships. The work in the Blue River Valley will regenerate a new, healthy forest that contains trees that are a variety of ages.
Protecting 3,000 homes, 57 roads, local jobs
The four GNA projects — Blue River East, Blue River West, White Cloud and Spruce Creek — have reduced wildfire risk for about 3,000 homes and protected the Blue River watershed, an essential source of drinking water for communities across Colorado. A CSFS Incentives for Local Governments grant also funded right-of-way mitigation on 57 roads and community chipping events to improve road safety and reduce fire spread.
The wood products industry is integral in completing fuels reduction treatments, to reduce project costs, help with carbon sequestration and keep Colorado’s forest products local instead of burning or chipping the wood. The White Cloud project supported local jobs by working with Colorado Timber Resources, an area wood products business, to repurpose harvested trees. Profits from an accompanying timber sale offset the cost of treatment, saving $300,000 the Summit County Strong Future Fund can now use to protect more homes and communities.
Healthy forest, thriving economy
Keeping this particular forest landscape healthy is crucial to Colorado’s economy. Summit County is a hub for tourism and recreation, drawing millions of visitors each year to ski, hike, mountain bike and enjoy the outdoors in every season. The surrounding White River National Forest has also seen a rise in visitors, to 18.4 million people annually in recent years, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Proactive wildfire mitigation, like the Blue River projects, not only protects residents, enhances wildlife habitats and keeps water sources clean. It also can save taxpayer dollars in potential firefighting and restoration costs while maintaining healthy forests that continue to draw visitors.
As well as working with private landowners and timber industry professionals, CSFS foresters partnered with the U.S. Forest Service, Summit County Government, the towns of Blue River and Breckenridge, the Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District and Denver Water to secure funding and implement these projects. Along with funding from The Nature Conservancy, the Summit County voter-approved Strong Future Fund has been instrumental in financing these initiatives and ensuring the safety of communities in wildfire-prone areas.
Blue River Valley GNA Projects
| Project name | Acres | Year completed | Cost | Funding source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue River East | 86.5 | 2025 | $206,322 | Summit County Strong Future Fund, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service |
| Blue River West | 109 | 2023 | $279,694 | Summit County Strong Future Fund, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service |
| Spruce Creek | 9 | 2023 | $49,996 | Summit County Strong Future Fund |
| White Cloud | 134 | 2022 | $0 | Timber sales from this project saved about $300,000 |
Video credits: Amy Bulger, producer; Bill Wolf, drone pilot