Jefferson County to Invest in New Wildland Fire Management Program

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and Jefferson County Sheriff Reggie Marinelli are excited to announce the launch of a new Wildland Fire Management Program that will help to address and mitigate extreme wildfire danger in Jeffco.

In 2024, Jefferson County voters approved the passage of Ballot Measure 1A, allowing Jefferson County to retain revenue collected to help fund public safety as well as transportation and infrastructure needs. As specified in the 1A ballot language, those needs include wildfire and flood mitigation and response, mental health programs, crime prevention programs, and other county public safety functions. With the approval of this program, the county will invest nearly $7 million in wildfire mitigation and response.
"This is an urgent need in our county, and the Board of Commissioners could not be more supportive of this comprehensive and well-thought-out plan," said Board Chair Lesley Dahlkemper.

On June 24, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners approved a budget request from Sheriff Marinelli that allows the sheriff's office to begin implementing the Wildland Fire Management Program. Currently, Jefferson County ranks higher than 99% of counties in the nation for wildfire danger. Additionally, Jefferson County ranks as the second highest at-risk county in the state when it comes to wildfire danger.

"This initiative represents a significant step forward in our mission to better serve and protect Jefferson County. Wildfire risk is extremely high in our county, and this program will allow us to be more proactive and better equipped to respond to fire-related emergencies." said Jefferson County Sheriff Reggie Marinelli.

The goal of the Wildland Fire Management Program is to establish a holistic program to protect the residents of Jefferson County from catastrophic wildfire threats. Jeffco residents can expect to see efforts to increase fire preparedness and fire response. These efforts will include 37 new staff positions, wildfire education and outreach, a homeowner assessment and certification program, micro-grants for defensible space and home hardening, increased county capacity for fire protection district support, and increased fire management resources.