Title
Update to the City of Colorado Springs Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Presenter:
Jessica McIntire, Wildfire Mitigation Program Coordinator
Ashley Whitworth, Wildfire Mitigation Program Administrator
Body
Summary:
Colorado Springs Fire Department will provide an update on the Colorado Springs Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
Background:
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaborative plan that identifies local wildfire risks and prioritizes wildfire mitigation projects. Title I of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 authorizes communities to draft and implement a CWPP. Having a CWPP in place gives the City access to federal funding opportunities for hazardous fuels reduction programs which is critical to our local wildfire mitigation efforts. Chapter 8, Article 7, Section 206.B requires the Fire Department to review and update the City’s CWPP every 5 years.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
The CWPP update process was initiated in October 2025. By early October, a project plan was approved by senior leadership within the Colorado Springs Fire Department, Division of the Fire Marshal. The first phase of the project plan was to gather public feedback and begin writing the draft CWPP. Between October-December 2025, a public survey was made available to residents in the City of Colorado Springs to answer questions about their risk perception and priorities for further wildfire risk reduction. The information provided wildfire mitigation planners with a better understanding of areas of vulnerability which will impact the City’s 5-year wildfire risk reduction strategy and further shape the CWPP. The draft plan was produced by February 23rd to include partner reviews from Colorado Springs Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Colorado State Forest Service, US Forest Service, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, El Paso County, Colorado Springs Police Department, and volunteers from our neighborhood champions program. On February 24th, the Wildfire Mitigation Section hosted a town hall at Glen Eyrie Castle to gather additional input to the CWPP. Participants were provided copies of the draft plan and Wildfire Mitigation Staff Conducted a brief overview of the plan. This meeting allowed for a 1-hour question and comment session that was completely utilized by community members. Participants were encouraged to take the plan home and review further. The draft plan was also uploaded to our website at https://www.coswildfireready.org/community-wildfire-protection-plan. At this time, the Wildfire Mitigation Section has extended the CWPP open comment period to April 30th, 2026.
Alternatives:
City Code 8.7.206.B requires the Colorado Springs Fire Department to update the CWPP every 5 years.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
N/A
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A