Jefferson County approves new countywide Wildland Fire Management Program and budget amendment

The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners on June 24 approved a supplemental budget amendment to establish a County Wildland Fire Management Program administered through the sheriff’s office, following a staff presentation and extensive public testimony from fire chiefs, volunteers and district leaders.

County staff described the program as a three‑part effort to increase wildfire preparedness, expand response capacity, and centralize administrative functions. In remarks to the board, the presenter outlined planned elements including risk‑mitigation crews, a countywide home‑assessment program, a micro‑grant cost‑share for homeowners, expanded staffing with nationally‑recognized wildland qualifications, and centralized data platforms to support community wildfire protection plans (CWPPs).

Why it matters: commissioners and community speakers said the county’s growing wildfire risk and recent incidents, including last year’s Quarry Fire, require coordinated capacity that crosses fire district boundaries. Several presenters emphasized that the program is intended to strengthen mitigation and coordination rather than replace local fire suppression roles.

Speakers at the hearing included chiefs from Conifer and Elk Creek fire districts, volunteers and members of the Jefferson Conservation District who praised the proposal’s focus on home assessments, standardized outreach, and grant support for neighborhood mitigation projects. Katrina Stevens, a community ambassador for Conifer and Elk Creek fire districts, said the county home‑assessment and micro‑grant components are particularly valuable for neighborhoods that helped evacuate and recover after the Quarry Fire.

Commissioner remarks and budget details: Commissioners framed the vote as an implementation of voter‑approved funding (Measure 1A was cited in the record) and described the program as a multi‑department effort. Commissioner Zenzinger noted that the supplementary budget includes multiple line items across departments (points she identified in the packet) to support technology, legal, transportation, human resources and insurance needs and that the sheriff’s office staffing would increase to accommodate the program. A public commenter (Al Leo) told the board that ‘Item 11 in the budget allocates $6,800,000 to fund the program’; the board approved the regular agenda item (6.9) as moved by a commissioner and seconded, with recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Kerr, Dunsinger and Dahlkemper.

Next steps: With the board’s approval the county can begin hiring positions, acquire equipment and pursue state and federal grants using the budgeted match and program structure. Staff said future steps include creating the home‑assessment protocol, launching micro‑grant guidelines, standing up data platforms to support CWPP updates, and coordinating with local fire districts on implementation and training.

Quotes: “We’re not building a fire suppression program — we’re building a risk mitigation program that has the capacity to respond,” staff said during the presentation. Katrina Stevens: “County supported grants even small ones would not only help offset homeowners’ costs but would also demonstrate that they are part of a larger community committed to increasing the county’s resilience against wildfire.”

The board approved the budget amendment and program proposal by recorded vote; staff will return with implementation details and hiring timelines as work proceeds.