Douglas County accepts $500,000 Denver Water grant for Jackson/Garber Creek forest restoration

On Jan. 14 the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted 3–0 to accept a $500,000 grant from Denver Water administered through the Colorado State Forest Service to support forest restoration and wildfire mitigation work in the Jackson Creek and Garber Creek corridors in southwest Douglas County.

Joe Welley, the county’s wildfire mitigation and resilience coordinator, told the board the Denver Water "Forest to Faucets 3" grant will be used as a fiscal‑agent allocation to offset costs for private landowners participating in the partner project. Welley said the work will build on previously treated areas in the corridor and protect values at risk, including transportation and watershed infrastructure.

Welley showed before‑and‑after photos and a map of past and planned treatments. When commissioners asked technical questions, staff clarified the treatment shown was an understory thinning (removal of ladder fuels and some canopy opening) intended to reduce fire behavior and support suppression operations, not a fully cleared shaded fuel break.

Commissioners noted the economic value of protected property in the county and praised collaborative wildfire mitigation efforts. After no public comment, the board moved, seconded and approved accepting the $500,000 grant. The motion passed 3–0.

The grant acceptance authorizes the county to act as fiscal agent for the funds; the transcript does not specify detailed implementation schedules or the full funding breakdown per landowner. Staff indicated coordination with the Colorado State Forest Service and other partners would continue as the project advances.