Emily Dossmeier, deputy state hazard mitigation officer with Colorado's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, briefed commissioners on the federal BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) grant program and how it can support utility wildfire mitigation activities.

Dossmeier told the commission that BRIC funds are available to state and local governments and federally recognized tribes and that utilities without direct eligibility can apply through a sponsoring agency. "FEMA can provide up to $50,000,000 federal share for a single project under the BRIC program," she said, adding that the program typically requires a 25% local cost share. She also noted a smaller, state-directed allocation (about $2,000,000) is available for planning or smaller projects each year.

Dossmeier outlined BRIC-eligible activities that align with Xcel Energy's wildfire mitigation proposals, including defensible-space and fuels reduction work, infrastructure hardening and undergrounding, warning-system installations, early detection technology and redundancy in distribution systems. Her office offers grant-writing help, GIS and benefit-cost analysis support, and project administration assistance to help applicants assemble competitive applications.

Commissioners asked about timelines and the practicalities of sponsoring applications; Dossmeier said the BRIC application is extensive and while an April deadline was in force for the current year, the typical annual window runs roughly August to January with about a year from application to funding. She told the commission the process can be slowed by FEMA staffing constraints and that communities should plan multi-year projects rather than immediate six-month fixes.

The commission and staff encouraged utilities and the PUC's team to consider state sponsorship to pursue BRIC funding and asked Dossmeier to provide further guidance and to coordinate if the commission wants the state to act as a fiscal agent for utility projects.