Year established as a nonprofit: 2007

What does your organization do for Ouray County?

With wildfires becoming a greater and greater risk to Western Colorado, WRWC strives to educate and aid in wildfire mitigation efforts. We offer technical and financial assistance with mitigating properties, a guiding hand in creating wildfire-ready homes, and help communities come together to prepare to live with wildfire.

What do you list as your greatest accomplishments in 2025?

This year we have treated more than 1,400 acres, completed 102 vegetation management projects and positively impacted 183 homes in the entire six-county region we serve, which includes Ouray, Delta, Hinsdale, Gunnison, Montrose and San Miguel counties.

What are some goals or projects you have planned for 2026?

We hope to complete the next round of our Baldy Mountain Mitigation Project northeast of Ridgway and secure further funding for the Ouray Community Forest Resilience Project, a nearly $1.3 million effort involving the Amphitheater above Ouray. This project, aimed at reducing wildfire danger on 93 acres around Ouray, is awaiting funding. It’s uncertain whether a $500,000 congressionally directed funding request will be fulfilled.

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

Donations are incredibly important to help us continue to positively impact our communities. To donate, please text “wildfire” to 53555 or visit cowildfire.org for our donation link. You can also sign up for our 2026 site visit list at www.cowildfire.org.

Thank you to Tim Pinnow for providing this information.