Firewise Committee

A major effort of the Metro District is the number of programs devoted to mitigating property within the Park, making it less susceptible to fire.

In 2002, Perry Park was one of the first communities in the nation to earn the designation “Firewise Community – USA”.  

Following up in 2005, the Board completed the development of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to guide the community’s efforts. The plan was further updated in 2023.

In 2009, the community gained the support of the U.S. Forest Service in mitigating the boundaries between the Park and Pike National Forest and in 2010, the community was awarded a $700,000 two-year grant to protect lands owned by the Metro District within the Park.  In total, the amount of grant money secured by the board for fire mitigation in the last 10 years is in excess of $1,000,000.

Twice a year, the board sponsors a free pick up of unwanted trees, branches and dead wood to help residents keep their property free of flammable materials.  The “slash” is then ground up to provide free mulch for gardening use.

The board conducts periodic Firewise classes for residents on fire prevention, recommended landscaping, and how to properly mitigate their property to prevent the initiation or spread of fire.  It also coordinates with the Larkspur Fire Protection District to provide free homeowner surveys and recommendations on needed mitigation.

Additional links for more information on being a Firewise community:

• Firewise USA: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA
• Living With Fire Learning Center: http://www.livingwithfire.info/learning-center
• Colorado State Forest Service Wildfire Mitigation: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation/
• Pikes Peak Wildfire Prevention Partners: https://www.ppwpp.org/