Community Wildfire Protection Plans
Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) represent the best opportunity we have to address the challenges of the wildland-urban interface (WUI) in a way that brings about comprehensive and locally supported solutions.
Community Wildfire Protection Plans
Community Wildfire Protection Plans are authorized and defined in Title I of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) passed by Congress on November 21, 2003, and signed into law by President Bush on December 3, 2003.
The Healthy Forests Restoration Act places renewed emphasis on community planning by extending a variety of benefits to communities with a wildfire protection plan in place. Critical among these benefits:
- The option of establishing a localized definition and boundary for the wildland-urban interface (WUI)
- The opportunity to help shape fuels treatment priorities for surrounding federal and non-federal lands
Public safety, community sustainability
The CWPP, as described in the Act, brings together diverse local interests to discuss their mutual concerns for public safety, community sustainability and natural resources. It offers a positive, solution-oriented environment in which to address challenges such as:
- Local firefighting capability
- The need for defensible space around homes and subdivision
- Where and how to prioritize land management on both federal and non-federal land
Key Components of a CWPP in Colorado
Participants
- The CWPP process must include local government, the local fire authority, local CSFS representatives and representatives of relevant federal land management agencies, as well as other relevant non-governmental partners.
- Partners should assess community risks and values, identify protection priorities and establish fuels treatment projects.
Plan Components
- A description of the community’s wildland-urban interface (WUI) problem areas, preferably with a map and narrative.
- Information on the community’s preparedness to respond to a wildland fire.
- A community risk analysis that considers, at a minimum, fuel hazards, risk of wildfire occurrence and community values to be protected both in the immediate vicinity and the surrounding zone where potential fire spread poses a realistic threat.
- Identification of fuels treatment priorities on the ground and methods of treatment.
- Ways to reduce structural ignitability.
- An implementation plan.
Level of Specificity
- A CWPP can be developed for any level of “community,” from a homeowners association or mountain town to a county or metropolitan city.
- Information contained in the plan should be at a level of specificity appropriate for the community.
- County level plans can be used as an umbrella for community plans but should not be considered a substitute. A county plan will not provide the detail needed for project-level planning.
Adapting Existing Plans & Combining Related Plans
If an existing plan already meets the majority of the CWPP criteria, a community plan can be adapted to meet the remainder of the criteria. This needs to be done in collaboration with community members and relevant partners as listed in the Participants component of the CWPP.Learn More About CWPPs
- Understanding Community Wildfire Protection Plans in Colorado (800 KB PDF)
- Homeowners’ Wildland Fire Beliefs and Behaviors: Results from Seven Colorado Wildland-Urban Interface Counties (900 KB PDF)
- Best Management Practices for Creating a Community Wildfire Protection Plan – 2012 (2.8 MB PDF)
- Community Guide to Preparing & Implementing a CWPP – 2008 (8.6 MB PDF)
- Community Wildfire Protection Plan Evaluation Guide (810 KB PDF)
- CWPP Briefing Paper – May 11, 2005 (48 KB PDF)
- CWPP: Guidelines for Implementation (148 KB PDF)
- CWPP Template (1.4 MB DOCX)
- CWPP Minimum Standards – REVISED 2022 (275 KB PDF)
- CWPP Power Point Presentation (781 KB PDF)
- Leaders Guide for Developing a CWPP (209 KB PDF) – (goes with the handbook)
- Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan – Handbook (662 KB PDF)
Income Tax Subtraction for Wildfire Mitigation Measures
Colorado landowners with property located in a wildland-urban interface area may qualify to receive a tax subtraction for the costs of wildfire mitigation work:
As authorized by §39-22-104(4)(n)(ll), C.R.S., for income tax years 2009 through 2024 individuals, estates and trusts may subtract from federal taxable income certain costs incurred in performing wildfire mitigation measures. For qualifications and limitations under the Wildfire Mitigation Measures Subtraction, please visit the Colorado Department of Revenue.
The following Colorado Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) are organized by county.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | ZAlamosa
Alamosa County CWPP (2009) (14.4 MB PDF)
Arapahoe
Arapahoe County CWPP (2022) (11.5 MB PDF)
Eastern Arapahoe County CWPP (2012) (4.4 MB PDF)
Archuleta
Archuleta County CWPP (2020) (11 MB PDF)
Echo Canyon Ranch CWPP (2013) (9.9 MB PDF)
Loma Linda Subdivision (2016) (4.5 MB PDF)
Baca
Baca County CWPP (2011) -Appendix B Addition 2013 (2.2 MB PDF)
Bent
Bent County CWPP (2011) -Appendix Addition 2013 (1.8 MB PDF)
Boulder
Boulder County CWPP (2011) (6.1 MB PDF)
Allenspark CWPP (2009) (3.9 MB PDF)
Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District CWPP (2006) (4.1 MB PDF)
Boulder Rural Fire Protection District CWPP (2007) (5.1 MB PDF)
City of Boulder CWPP (2007) (3.6 MB PDF)
Four Mile Fire Protection District CWPP (2006) (5.4 MB PDF)
Gold Hill Fire Protection District CWPP (2006) (11.8 MB PDF)
Lefthand Fire Protection District CWPP (2015) (9 MB PDF)
Lyons Fire Protection District CWPP (2011) (10.5 MB PDF)
Nederland Fire Protection District CWPP (2011) (12.9 MB PDF)
Rocky Mountain Fire Protection District CWPP (2010) (3.2 MB PDF)
Sugarloaf Fire Protection District CWPP (2008) (5 MB PDF)
Sunshine Fire Protection District CWPP (2013) (10 MB PDF)
Chaffee
Chaffee County CWPP (2020) (13 MB PDF)
Alpine – Town of St. Elmo CWPP (2009) (37 KB PDF)
Game Trail CWPP (2021) (2.7 MB PDF)
Maysville – North Fork CWPP (2008) (22 KB PDF)
Mesa Antero CWPP (2022) (2.1 MB PDF)
Mount Harvard Estates CWPP (2009) (939 KB PDF)
Poncha Springs CWPP (2009) (3.2 MB PDF)
Trail West Association CWPP (2012) (986 KB PDF)
Cheyenne
Cheyenne County CWPP (2011) -Appendix Addition 2013 (7.3 MB PDF)
Clear Creek
Clear Creek County CWPP (2008) (20.4 MB PDF)
Fall River Watershed CWPP (2009) (2.1 MB PDF)
Conejos
Central Conejos County FPD CWPP (2009) (7.3 MB PDF)
NE Conejos County FPD CWPP (2009) (3.8 MB PDF)
NW Conejos County FPD CWPP (2009) (7.3 MB PDF)
South Conejos County FPD CWPP (2009) (19.4 MB PDF)
West Conejos County CWPP (2019) (32 MB PDF)
Costilla
Costilla County Fire Protection District Draft CWPP (2008) (4.7 MB PDF)
Forbes Park Landowners Association CWPP (rev. 2021) (5 MB PDF)
Forbes Wagon Creek Ranches CWPP (2007) (970 KB PDF)
Crowley
Crowley County CWPP (2011) -Appendix Addition 2013 (512 KB PDF)
Custer
Custer County CWPP (2007) (9.9 MB PDF)
Cuerno Verde Homeowners Association (2019) (17.3 MB PDF)
Sangres Foothills (2018) (11 MB PDF)
Delta
Delta County CWPP (2011) (10.7 MB PDF)
Cedaredge Fire Protection District CWPP (2015) (4 MB PDF)
Crawford Fire Protection District CWPP (2015) (12 MB PDF)
Hotchkiss Fire District (2015) (14 MB PDF)
Paonia Fire Protection District (2015) (12 MB PDF)
Dolores
Dolores County CWPP (2007) (1.5 MB PDF)
Douglas
Douglas County CWPP (2022) (10 MB PDF)
Burning Tree Ranch CWPP (2008) (8.9 MB PDF)
Greater Sage Port CWPP (2014) (9 MB PDF)
Happy Canyon CWPP (2008) (3.9 MB PDF)
Hidden Village CWPP (2008) (5.2 MB PDF)
Perry Park CWPP (2023) (6.5 MB PDF)
Perry Pines and Park Ridge Pines CWPP (2012) (6.4 MB PDF)
Pine Ridge CWPP (2014) (13.6 MB PDF)
Roxborough Park CWPP (2020) (3.5 MB PDF)
South Metro Fire Rescue Authority CWPP (2010) (22.7 MB PDF)
- City of Castle Pines North Addendum (2010) (22.5 MB PDF)
- Greater Surrey Ridge Addendum (2012) (11.1 MB PDF)
- Misty Pines Addendum (2011) (10.6 MB PDF)
South Platte CWPP (2007) (5.7 MB PDF)
Spruce Mountain Estates CWPP (2015) (1 MB PDF)
Town of Castle Rock CWPP (2022) (15 MB PDF)
Town of Larkspur CWPP (2021) (17.5 MB PDF)
Valley Park CWPP (2022) (5 MB PDF)
Woodlands Escavera CWPP (2007) (4.4 MB PDF)
Woodmoor Mountain CWPP (2007) (6.2 MB PDF)
Eagle
Eagle County CWPP (2011) (2.8 MB PDF)
Arrowhead CWPP (2008) (12 MB PDF)
Bachelor Gulch CWPP (2008) (11.5 MB PDF)
Beaver Creek CWPP (2007) (13.3 MB PDF)
Cordillera CWPP (2004) (6.5 MB PDF)
Eagle River Fire Protection District CWPP (2019) (9 MB PDF)
Vail CWPP (2020) (5 MB PDF)
El Paso
El Paso County CWPP (2011) (1.2 MB PDF)
Apex Ranch Estates (2019) (5.4 MB PDF)
Black Forest CWPP (2016) (15 MB PDF)
Carroll Lakes CWPP (2014) (3.6 MB PDF)
City of Colorado Springs CWPP (2021) (4.5 MB PDF)
City of Manitou Springs CWPP (2019) (1.6 MB PDF)
Crystal Park CWPP (2013) (2.8 MB PDF)
Donald Wescott Fire Protection District CWPP (2011) (4 MB PDF)
Falcon Fire Department CWPP (2016) (15 MB PDF)
Higby Estates (2019) (10.3 MB PDF)
High Forest Ranch CWPP (2014) (4.9 MB PDF)
Mt Herman CWPP (2015) (13.2 MB PDF)
Palmer Lake CWPP (2008) (5.8 MB PDF)
Red Rock Ranch (2018) (10 MB PDF)
Southwestern Highway 115 Fire Protection District CWPP (2007) (7.8 MB PDF)
Spirit Lakes (2014) (6.1 MB PDF)
Ute Pass CWPP (2007) (9.3 MB PDF)
Wissler Ranch CWPP (2010) (6.1 MB PDF)
Woodmoor CWPP (2017) (6.4 MB PDF)
Elbert County
Gambel Oaks CWPP (2019) (2 MB PDF)
Fremont
Chandler Heights CWPP (2018) (8.5 MB PDF)
Fremont County CWPP (2008) (2 MB PDF)
Dakota Hideout CWPP (2015) (11 MB PDF)
Four Mile-Currant Creek (FMCC) CWPP (2013) (6.4 MB PDF)
Garden Park CWPP (2013) (17.5 MB PDF)
Indian Springs CWPP (2016) (18 MB PDF)
Southwest Cañon CWPP (2014) (29.1 MB PDF)
Upper Beaver Creek CWPP (2015) (22.5 MB PDF)
Garfield
Garfield County CWPP (2012) (4.6 MB PDF)
Burning Mountains Fire Protection District CWPP (2008) (3.9 MB PDF)
Glenwood Springs CWPP (2007) (2.2 MB PDF)
Mountain Springs Ranch CWPP (2022) (6.2 MB PDF)
Gilpin
Gilpin County CWPP (2009) (3.3 MB PDF)
Colorado Sierra Fire Protection District CWPP (2005) (2.6 MB PDF)
Grand
Grand County CWPP (2006) (14 MB PDF)
Grand Fire Protection District No. 1 CWPP (2015) (10 MB PDF)
Grand Lake Fire Protection District CWPP (rev. 2015) (2.3 MB PDF)
Hot Sulphur Springs – Parshall Fire Protection District (2016) (2.7 MB PDF)
Kremmling Fire Protection District CWPP (2011) (10.5 MB PDF)
Upper Fraser Valley CWPP (2007) (3.3 MB PDF)
Gunnison
Gunnison County CWPP (2011) (13.6 MB PDF)
Arrowhead CWPP (2007) (5.3 MB PDF)
Blue Mesa CWPP (2007) (1.4 MB PDF)
Ohio City CWPP (2009) (2 MB PDF)
Quartz Creek CWPP (2015) (14 MB PDF)
Rainbow Services Incorporated CWPP (2013) (11.7 MB PDF)
Star Mountain Ranch CWPP (2009) (2.3 MB PDF)
Upper Crystal River Valley CWPP (2011) (4.1 MB PDF)
Wilderness Streams CWPP (2009) (2.1 MB PDF)
Hinsdale
Hinsdale County CWPP (2010) (4.2 MB PDF)
San Juan Ranch Estates Subdivision CWPP (2009) (1.7 MB PDF)
Huerfano
Blackhawk Ranch CWPP (2010) (7.1 MB PDF)
La Veta Fire Protection District CWPP (2016) (22 MB PDF)
Jackson
Jackson County CWPP Update (2015) (16 MB PDF)
Gould CWPP (2008) (1.5 MB PDF)
Grizzly Creek CWPP (2006) (1.2 MB PDF)
Meadow Creek Area CWPP (2010) (1.7 MB PDF)
North End CWPP (2007) (2.7 MB PDF)
Rainbow Lakes West Side Area CWPP (2007) (8.7 MB PDF)
Rand CWPP (2006) (2.5 MB PDF)
Wade Tamlin/Spicer Peak CWPP (2007) (3.5 MB PDF)
Jefferson
Jefferson County CWPP (2012) (3.8 MB PDF)
City of Golden CWPP (2007) (6 MB PDF)
Coal Creek Canyon Fire Protection District CWPP (2008) (5.3 MB PDF)
Elk Creek & Inter-Canyon FPD CWPP (2021) (12.2 MB PDF)
Evergreen Fire Protection District CWPP (rev. 2020) (11.5 MB PDF)
Fairmount Fire Protection District CWPP (2007) (5.5 MB PDF)
Foothills Fire Protection District CWPP (2008) (7.4 MB PDF)
Genesee Fire Protection District CWPP (2021) (20 MB PDF)
Golden Gate Fire Protection District CWPP (2011) (953 KB PDF)
Indian Hills Fire Protection District CWPP (2007) (4.7 MB PDF)
Lower North Fork CWPP (2007) (16.1 MB PDF)
North Fork Fire Protection District CWPP (2011) (6.1 MB PDF)
South Platte CWPP (2007) (5.7 MB PDF)
West Metro Fire Protection District CWPP (2006) (9 MB PDF)
Kiowa
Kiowa County CWPP (2007) -Appendix Addition 2013 (2.6 MB PDF)
Lake
Lake County CWPP (2022) (14 MB PDF)
La Plata
La Plata County CWPP (2006) (2.2 MB PDF)
Coolwater and Los Pinos CWPP (2012) (2.5 MB PDF)
Deer Valley Estates CWPP (2009) (5.2 MB PDF)
Durango West Metropolitan District #1 CWPP (2009) (5.4 MB PDF)
Durango West Metropolitan District #2 CWPP (2011) (3.1 MB PDF)
Edgemont Highlands CWPP (2012) (2 MB PDF)
Enchanted Forest Estates CWPP (2015) (6 MB PDF)
Falls Creek Ranch Homeowners Association CWPP (2011) (3.2 MB PDF)
Forest Lakes CWPP (2011) (27.6 MB PDF)
Forrest Groves Estates Subdivision CWPP (2015) (4.1 MB PDF)
Greater Lemon Reservoir (2017) (11 MB PDF)
Heartwood Ranch CWPP (2012) (4 MB PDF)
Lake Purgatory CWPP (2020) (7 MB PDF)
Los Ranchitos Estates CWPP (2012) (6.5 MB PDF)
Pine River Ranches CWPP (2012) (3.9 MB PDF)
Rancho Mira Sol CWPP (2013) (3.7 MB PDF)
Timberdale Ranch CWPP (2012) (3.2 MB PDF)
‘Tween Lakes Estates CWPP (2012) (3.6 MB PDF)
Vallecito CWPP (2014) (13.8 MB PDF)
Vista De Oro CWPP (2012) (3.7 MB PDF)
Larimer
Larimer County CWPP (2009) (322 KB PDF)
Berthoud Fire Protection District CWPP (2007) (7.7 MB PDF)
Big Elk Meadows CWPP (2007) (1.6 MB PDF)
Buckskin Heights CWPP (2014) (1.7 MB PDF)
Cherokee Meadows (2017) (900 KB PDF)
Crystal Lakes CWPP (2022) (40 MB PDF)
East Portal FireWise Coalition CWPP (2006) (3.9 MB PDF)
Estes Park CWPP (2009) (571 KB)
- Uplands CWPP (2011) (457 KB PDF)
Estes Valley Fire Protection District CWPP (2022) (56.4 MB PDF)
Glacier View Fire Protection District (2022) (28 MB PDF)
Glen Haven Retreat CWPP (2020) (10 MB PDF)
Hermit Park Open Space CWPP (2008) (491 KB PDF)
Little Valley CWPP (2005) (1.2 KB PDF)
Magic Sky Ranch CWPP (2008) (194 KB PDF)
Manhattan Creek CWPP (2007) (502 KB PDF)
Pinewood Reservoir CWPP (2008) (1.1 MB PDF)
Pinewood Springs CWPP (2010) (3.8 MB PDF)
Pole Hill Road CWPP (2009) (8.3 MB PDF)
Poudre Fire Authority CWPP (2011) (5.3 MB PDF)
Poudre Park CWPP (2008) (597 KB PDF)
Redfeather Lakes CWPP (2007) (288 KB PDF)
Rist Canyon CWPP (2010) (872 KB PDF)
Rustic CWPP (2007) (728 MB PDF)
Spencer Heights CWPP (2008) (386 KB PDF)
Upper Cherokee Park CWPP (2011) (2.3 MB PDF)
Las Animas
Santa Fe Trail Ranch CWPP (2016) (4.2 MB PDF)
Spirit Mountain Ranch CWPP (2009) (16.2 MB PDF)
Stonewall Fire Protection District CWPP (2014) (12.5 MB PDF)
Logan
Logan County CWPP (2011) (1.3 MB PDF)
Mesa
Mesa County CWPP (2012) (5.8 MB PDF)
Redlands Glade Park with Colorado National Monument CWPP (2008) (11.5 MB PDF)
Mineral
Mineral County CWPP (2009) (26.4 MB PDF)
Moffat
Moffat County CWPP (2004) (15.6 MB PDF) (Knez Divide, Bakers Peak, Wilderness Ranch, Greystone)
Montezuma
Montezuma County CWPP (2012) (11.2 MB PDF)
Cash Canyon/Stinking Springs CWPP (2015) (4.4 MB PDF)
Cedar Mesa Ranches CWPP (2011) (3.6 MB PDF)
East Canyon CWPP (2014) (9.7 MB PDF)
Montrose
Montrose County CWPP (2011) (10 MB PDF)
Otero
Otero County CWPP (2013) (5.2 MB PDF)
Ouray
Ouray County CWPP (2011) (11 MB PDF)
4 Neighborhood CWPP (2007) (12.6 MB PDF)
Log Hill Mesa Fire Protection District CWPP (2012) (7.4 MB PDF)
Park
Park County CWPP (2007) (3.8 MB PDF)
Four Mile-Currant Creek (FMCC) CWPP (2013) (6.4 MB PDF)
Harris Park Fire Protection District CWPP (2005) (7.5 MB PDF)
Indian Mountain CWPP (2011) (1.8 MB PDF)
Lost Park Ranch Owners Association CWPP (2015) (1.8 MB PDF)
Northwest Fire Protection District CWPP (2010) (3.4 MB PDF)
Platte Canyon Fire Protection District (2020) (22 MB PDF)
Red Hill Forest CWPP (2009) (1.2 MB PDF)
Pitkin
Pitkin County CWPP (2014) (16.8 MB PDF)
Conundrum Area CWPP (2004) (4.1 MB PDF)
Shield-O Terrace Subdivision CWPP (2013) (236 KB)
Upper Snowmass Creek Caucus CWPP (2018) (6 MB PDF)
Prowers
Prowers County CWPP (2011) -Appendix Addition 2013 (1.6 MB PDF)
Pueblo
Southwest Pueblo County CWPP (2016) (11 MB PDF)
Rio Blanco
Rio Blanco County CWPP (2012) (3.4 MB PDF)
Rio Grande
Rio Grande County South Area CWPP (2019) (17 MB PDF)
Del Norte FPD CWPP (2009) (17.1 MB PDF)
Monte Vista FPD CWPP (2009) (11.6 MB PDF)
South Fork Fire Protection District CWPP (2022) (88.7 MB PDF)
Routt
Routt County CWPP (2010) (4.4 MB PDF)
Fish Creek Critical Community Watershed Wildfire Protection Plan (2019) (10 MB PDF)
Fish Creek Sanctuary CWPP (2007) (4.1 MB PDF)
North Routt FPD CWPP (2007) (1.5 MB PDF)
Stagecoach Area CWPP (2008) (4.6 MB PDF)
Steamboat Pines CWPP (2004) (292 KB PDF)
Upper Burgess Creek CWPP (2004) (324 KB PDF)
Saguache
Northern Saguache County FPD CWPP (2007) (7.8 MB PDF)
Western Saguache County FPD CWPP (2008) (7.3 MB PDF)
Baca Property Owners Association (2019) (9 MB PDF)
Center FPD CWPP (2008) (14.1 MB PDF)
Crestone Mountain (2018) (6.2 MB PDF)
Gold Basin CWPP (2008) (1.4 MB PDF)
San Juan
San Juan County CWPP (2013) (7.6 MB PDF)
San Miguel
San Miguel County CWPP (2009) (10 MB PDF)
Sedgwick
Sedgwick County CWPP (2016) (5 MB PDF)
Summit
Summit County CWPP Revised (2010) (1.6 MB PDF)
Teller
Teller County CWPP (2011) (8.5 MB PDF)
Arabian Acres (2018) (10 MB PDF)
City of Cripple Creek (2019) (5 MB PDF)
Colorado Mountain Estates CWPP (2007) (1.2 MB PDF)
Colorado Outdoor Education Center CWPP (2011) (2 MB PDF)
Cripple Creek Mountain Estates CWPP (2021) (4.4 MB PDF)
Elk Valley Estates CWPP (rev. 2011) (2 MB PDF)
Four Mile-Currant Creek (FMCC) CWPP (2013) (6.4 MB PDF)
Highland Lakes CWPP (2014) (3.1 MB PDF)
Indian Creek CWPP (2011) (2.7 MB PDF)
Lone Ranger Road Users CWPP (rev.2011) (2.4 MB PDF)
Lost Dutchman Resort CWPP (2011) (3.4 MB PDF)
Majestic Park CWPP (2007) (375 KB PDF)
Ridgewood Subdivision CWPP (2022) (13.3 MB PDF)
Ute Lakes Fishing and Recreation Club CWPP (2011) (2.7 MB PDF)
Woodland Park Healthy Forest Initiative CWPP (2018) (8.7 MB PDF)
Woodrock Property Owners’ Association CWPP (2009) (6.3 MB PDF)
Yuma
Yuma County CWPP (2011) (4.9 MB PDF)