Jefferson County highlights new Genesee evacuation route to reduce wildfire choke point

During reports at the Aug. 26, 2025 meeting, Jefferson County commissioners said work is underway on a new evacuation route in the Genesee community to reduce a known choke point and improve wildfire evacuation options.

Commissioner Leslie Dahlkemper described the project as a collaborative effort involving Genesee Fire Protection District, the Genesee Foundation, Genesee Water and Sanitation District and multiple homeowners’ associations. She said the route will help protect lives and homes and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. “What's important about this project is not only will it help with evacuation risk and lower it, but it is an exemplar of a community coming together to support a project for the common good,” Dahlkemper said.

The board emphasized evacuation planning for foothills communities as a priority and noted similar traffic and trail management issues have arisen in other projects (the Jefferson Parkway/Greenway context was referenced in commissioner reports). Commissioners encouraged continued coordination among fire districts, water districts and neighborhood groups to finish the Genesee evacuation improvements on schedule.

No formal vote or county appropriation was recorded on this agenda item during the public meeting; commissioners presented the project as a current collaborative implementation with contributions from local entities and HOAs.