Jefferson County commissioners proclaimed September 2025 as National Preparedness Month at their Sept. 16 meeting and urged residents to take preparedness steps for hazards including wildfires and floods. Commissioner Leslie Dahlkemper read the proclamation, and Commissioner Kerr urged residents to create family emergency plans and sign up for alerts.

Why it matters: Jefferson County ranks among the top counties in Colorado for wildfire risk; commissioners said the county has invested in mitigation and response to reduce fuel loads, improve evacuation routes and expand resources for homeowners.

Key points from the meeting: Dahlkemper thanked voters for passage of Measure 1A and said the county approved a $7,000,000 allocation this year for a new wildland fire program to enhance mitigation along evacuation routes, explore homeowner microgrants and add more staffing. She said “more than 30 new positions also will help ensure rapid response to fire when they break out, reduce fuel loads, and educate homeowners on creating defensible space.”

Jefferson County Emergency Manager Nathan Whittingham spoke briefly at the podium on community preparedness, saying, “Community preparedness starts with you,” and describing preparedness as a shared responsibility among individuals, county, state and federal partners. Commissioner Kerr urged residents to “create a family or community emergency plan” and to sign up for local alerts at lookoutalert.co.

Operational details and resources: staff described county collaboration with public-health and emergency-management teams to coordinate preparedness activities. The proclamation text noted Jefferson County’s urban–wildland interface and the need for proactive planning to protect lives and property. The board invited emergency-management staff forward for a photo after the proclamation and encouraged residents to visit the county website for preparedness checklists and resources.

Discussion versus action: the board read and proclaimed National Preparedness Month during the hearing; the proclamation and the $7 million program allocation were presented as adopted or previously approved by voters and the county. No new ordinance was introduced at the meeting.