21 Feb Telluride Foundation: “From Forest to Front Door”!
FROM FOREST TO FRONT DOOR: Community Invited to Discuss New Wildfire Protection Plan & Other Wildfire Preparedness Issues.
For more information about the Community Wildfire Protection Plan https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/883/CWPP-Update.
As wildfire risk continues to escalate across the Western United States, San Miguel County residents will have an opportunity to learn about and provide input on a new Community Wildfire Protection Plan at two free upcoming public events.
The San Miguel Office of Emergency Management and the Telluride Foundation are hosting a free panel discussion, “From Forest to Front Door,” a conversation that will kick off the public comment period for the county’s newly completed draft plan, as well as highlight other issues related to wildfire risk, including building codes, insurance, and mitigation and resiliency efforts.
The events will be held March 1 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the Livery in Norwood (where BBQ will be served), and March 2 from 5:30 – 7:00 at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride.
Both talks are free and open to the public.
The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (plan), developed by Colorado-based Bintel, Inc., provides a roadmap for understanding wildfire risk and outlines recommended steps for preparedness across San Miguel County. Bintel’s team, which has completed more than 120 similar plans across the country and participated in the county’s 2009 wildfire plan, will present the draft plan, identify wildfire risks, and explain how the plan will help the community better manage fire hazards in the wildland-urban interface.
The plan was developed in partnership with the community, incorporating feedback from a public engagement survey conducted last year. It identifies local wildfire hazards, prioritizes mitigation projects, coordinates efforts among emergency response agencies, and provides educational resources for residents about preparedness measures.
Beyond the plan presentation, the panel will address additional pressing concerns in the wake of increased wildfire risks. Matt Gonzales, San Miguel County Building Official, will explain Colorado’s new Wildfire Resiliency Code, which now requires specific construction standards for new buildings in designated wildland-urban interface areas. The code represents a shift in how communities approach wildfire-resistant construction.
For homeowners struggling to navigate the increasingly challenging insurance market, Clifford Hansen, a principal with Latitude Insurance in Telluride, will discuss how wildfire risk is impacting insurance availability and costs, and what options remain available for property owners in high-risk areas.
Other panelists include Mountain Village Forester, Rodney Walters, who will share insights on how communities can build resilience through strategic forest management and Tim Pinnow, Executive Director of West Region Wildfire Council, to discuss the importance of wildfire mitigation and homeowner site visits to provide site-specific wildfire risk and mitigation steps.
The public comment period following these events will give residents a chance to weigh in on priorities and strategies before the plan is finalized. Officials emphasize that community input is essential to creating an effective, actionable plan that reflects local concerns and conditions.
The draft plan will be available for public review following the events, and community members are encouraged to submit comments on the San Miguel County/CWPP website during the open comment period.
Telluride Foundation, more:
The Telluride Foundation is committed to enriching the quality of life of the residents, workforce, and visitors of the Telluride region.
Through grantmaking, investments in initiatives, and community development programs, the Foundation works to address critical needs and foster opportunities for long-term impact.
Since its founding in 2000, the Telluride Foundation has partnered with donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to create lasting solutions that benefit the region.
Please visit www.telluridefoundation.org.
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