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Phone: 970-627-7121

Grand County Wildfire Council

Home Hardening Pilot Cost Share Program

GCWC is offering a pilot Home Hardening Cost Share Program in 2026. This program incentivizes Grand County property owners to complete home hardening projects to make their homes safer and reduce risk to structures in the event of a wildfire. 

The first 5 feet around the structures on your property and the materials they are made of are critical to the survival of your home and outbuildings during a wildfire. More homes ignite from embers than from any other causes. Embers can travel a mile or more ahead of a wildfire, igniting combustible materials. When those materials are in direct contact with your home or other buildings, this can quickly lead to structure ignition. Creating and maintaining a noncombustible zone around buildings (0-5 ft) is a critical element of wildfire mitigation best practices.

Vegetation reduction is not eligible under this program. Please refer to GCWC’s Home Hazard Ignition Zone Cost Share Program for information on vegetation reduction cost share funding opportunities.

New builds and additions as indicated under the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code are not eligible for this program.

Program Details

The Home Hardening Cost Share Program focuses on “hardening” your primary structure or zone 1 (the first five feet around your home).

Cost share reimbursement is limited to $1,000 per property and up to 50% of cost, whichever is least.

Due to limited funding, projects are accepted on a first-come basis.

Equipment rented by the property owner and used solely for home hardening may be eligible for reimbursement. All other program parameters apply.

The Grand County Wildfire Council Board of Directors reserves the right to approve, approve with modifications, and/or reject any application.

Eligible actions for reimbursement include*:

    • Installing gravel and landscaping fabric in the first 5 ft around your home and structures.
    • Replacing or screening in vents on the outside of  your home with ⅛ inch metal mesh.
    • Replacing a combustible fence material (ex. wood) with an ignition-resistant material (ex. metal) in the first 8 ft directly adjacent to the home.
    • Installing flashing between the home and deck/attached structures.
    • Replacing decks, steps, and other structures attached to the home with ignition-resistant materials.
    • Replacing roofs or siding with ignition-resistant materials.

Actions under this program that are also required include*:

      • Removing all combustible material such as needles and leaves from roofs, gutters, and under decks and similar structures.
      • Firewood must be removed from within 30 ft of the home, from April through October, or to an appropriate location and for an appropriate timeframe as determined by the inspecting party.

    *Property owner time spent on these actions is not eligible for reimbursement.

    Step 1.) Wildfire Risk Assessment

    You MUST have a home ignition zone (HIZ) assessment completed by your local fire district or by GCWC prior to any work being completed to be eligible for a reimbursement. You can request a free assessment using the button below:

    Assessment Request Form

    Step 2.) Cost Share Application

    If you have undergone a HIZ assessment with a GCWC or fire district representative and your project meets the requirements of the Home Hardening Cost Share program, please fill out the application below:

    Home Hardening Application

    Step 3.) Project Preparation & Implementation

    GCWC will provide a scope of work and/or project requirements that must be met to be eligible for reimbursement.

    It is the responsibility of the property owner to contact contractors and receive bids for their project.

    The selected bid must be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for review, including alignment with scope of work and/or project description, grant allocation, and planning purposes.

    The HIZ assessment will likely include 'Before' Photos, but it is highly encouraged that property owners collect their own before-work photos to ensure grant eligibility.

    Once the below-listed items have been completed, applicant will be notified that work may begin:

    • HIZ Assessment & Before Photos
    • Home Hardening Cost Share Application
    • Project scope provided to contractor
    • Selected contractor bid sent to GCWC

      Step 4.) Project Completion & Reimbursement

      When the project is nearing completion or has been completed, it is solely the property owner's responsibility to notify GCWC. It is recommended to notify GCWC when work is nearing completion in case additional work will be required to meet the scope of work and/or project description.

      A post-work inspection will be conducted before reimbursement is issued.

      Required paperwork must be submitted to GCWC before reimbursement is issued. This includes, but is not limited to:

      • Before & After Photos
      • Final Invoice
      • Proof of Payment
      • IRS Form W9

      Once all paperwork has been received and project completion has been verified, property owners will be notified of their final reimbursement amount and status.

          Please note, reimbursement may take up to 60 days depending on availability of funding.

          Cost share funds have been generously donated by: 

          • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)