Editor’s note: The Ouray County Plaindealer started publishing profiles of nonprofits between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in 2020 as a community service. The purpose of these profiles is to highlight the meaningful work being performed by these organizations and let the community know how they can help them even more, as the holidays approach and we reach the end of 2023. Nonprofit organizations that are based in Ouray County and serve Ouray County are eligible for these profiles. To participate, please email erin@ouraynews.com.

Year established as a nonprofit: 2018

What does your organization do for Ouray County? Wildfire risk reduction, forest and wildfire resiliency.

What do you list as your greatest accomplishments in 2023?

We worked with more than 80 Ouray County residents in 2023 to provide wildfire risk reduction recommendations as well as technical and financial assistance for them to take action.

What are some goals or projects you have planned for 2024?

We will continue to provide Ouray County with our wildfire, forest & watershed resiliency services and programs.

We are also planning to launch a home certification program for wildfire standards. We will be launching an equity program to remove some of the barriers related to financial costs for completing wildfire mitigation work for those in need. We are also working very closely with partners on the planned Baldy Mountain Wildfire Resiliency Project as well as working to plan treatments to address forest health and wildfire risk surrounding the city of Ouray.

Tell us how the community can help you do more here in Ouray County.

We are recruiting for two open board positions – a new board treasurer and a nonprofit leader and fundraiser. We are also looking for funding to purchase a small truck for our field foresters. Currently we ask our staff to utilize personal vehicles (with a mileage reimbursement).

We also welcome donations of any amount. Donation funding supports operational costs that grant funds don’t cover. We are also looking to build equity into our program by offering 100% funding (vs. requiring property owners to contribute via a cost-share) for those in need of additional financial support to complete wildfire mitigation work.

Visit cowildfire.org for more details and contact information.

Thank you to Lilia Falk for providing this information.