The Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant Program (SFMG) was established by Boulder County in 2023 following the approval of a wildfire mitigation ballot measure in 2022. This program aims to support large-scale projects in forest and grassland management to mitigate wildfire risks, protect vital water supplies, and foster resilient ecosystems. The grant provides financial assistance to local entities, leveraging funds from various federal, state, and local sources to maximize impact. A key component of the program is the county’s voter-approved wildfire mitigation sales tax, which funds the grants. The SFMG program is designed for strategic projects that focus on long-term wildfire risk reduction across Boulder County.

The program is open to a variety of organizations, including local government entities, private utilities, state agencies, homeowners’ associations, and non-profit organizations that manage or have legal authority over land in Boulder County. These applicants must also demonstrate landowner involvement and agree to adhere to the grant's reporting and monitoring requirements. Priority is given to projects that align with existing wildfire mitigation plans and are located in high-risk areas, such as those identified on wildfire risk maps or within designated focus areas. Projects can span both public and private lands and are encouraged to collaborate across boundaries to increase their effectiveness.

Funding from the SFMG can be used for a variety of fuels mitigation activities, including creating fuel breaks, reducing fire-prone vegetation, and removing slash and non-merchantable materials. Grassland and forest management projects are eligible, with acceptable mitigation methods ranging from mechanical thinning and prescribed burns to grazing and mowing. Additionally, the program supports cross-boundary efforts that involve multiple landowners and jurisdictions, offering funding for projects that contribute to the larger landscape or community-wide goals. Grassland mitigation efforts, including those on private land, can also be supported, especially if they are part of broader community projects.

The grant program emphasizes strategic alignment with local wildfire mitigation and forest management plans. Projects must be recognized in Boulder County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) or other related plans to ensure they contribute to larger county-wide or regional wildfire risk reduction strategies. Applicants are required to coordinate with forestry and wildfire experts, ensuring projects are well-planned and feasible. A site visit with county wildfire staff is mandatory, with a completed site visit form required as part of the application.

Preference is given to projects that demonstrate strong local coordination and commitment from landowners, including financial or in-kind contributions to match the county’s funding. The SFMG program requires a minimum 50% cost match from other sources, though this can be reduced to 25% for projects in socially vulnerable communities. Applicants must provide evidence of matching resources and community engagement, which enhances the project's overall score during the competitive grant process.

Applications for the 2024 cycle are due by November 1, 2024, with awards anticipated by late December 2024 or early January 2025. Planning grants are capped at $50,000 per project, with a total budget of $250,000 available for planning efforts. Mitigation projects must be completed by January 2028, while planning projects have a completion deadline of January 2027. Successful applicants will be required to submit periodic progress reports, including detailed data on the area treated, costs, and results of the mitigation efforts.