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Boulder County Wildfire Risk Mitigation: How to Protect Your Home and Get a $500 Rebate

Wildfire season in Boulder County isn’t just a “maybe” anymore — it’s a reality. If you live in the foothills or mountain areas, taking action now can mean the difference between protecting your home or losing it.

Wildfire burning through a dense forest in Boulder County, Colorado — a reminder of the growing risk in mountain communities and the importance of defensible space and fire mitigation.
Wildfire burning through a dense forest in Boulder County, Colorado — a reminder of the growing risk in mountain communities and the importance of defensible space and fire mitigation.

That’s why Boulder County created the Wildfire Partners Rebate Program — and why Next Generation Landscapers, led by Megan Banich, is here to help you make the most of it.

Fire Mitigation performed by Magic Beans Landscaping (Dan Kennedy and Ripley Duke).

What Is the Boulder County Wildfire Rebate?

Through the Wildfire Partners Rebate Program, Boulder County is offering up to $500 back when you complete qualified wildfire mitigation projects around your home. This rebate is available for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas who want to reduce their risk and build defensible space.


If you got a rebate last year, you can still apply again this year — just choose a different approved project.


2025 Rebate-Eligible Projects:

  • Junk Your Junipers: Remove highly flammable juniper shrubs

  • Fences Are Fuses: Replace wooden fencing within 5 feet of the home

  • The First Five Feet: Replace mulch and plants next to the house with non-combustible materials like gravel or rock

  • Vents for Defense: Install 1/8" metal mesh screens or upgrade to wildfire-rated vents

  • Cut the Clutter: Clear dry debris, firewood, and stored materials from around the house

  • Protect Home Base: Address wood decks, siding, and other vulnerable areas

Learn more directly at: wildfirepartners.org/2025


What Is “Defensible Space” and the Home Ignition Zone?

Creating defensible space means managing vegetation and fuels around your home so fire is less likely to spread to it. The Colorado State Forest Service breaks your property into three zones:

Zone 1: 0–5 feet (Critical Zone)

  • Remove flammable plants and wood mulch

  • Keep gutters and roof clear of leaves

  • Store firewood well away from the house

  • Use gravel or flagstone, not bark or dry shrubs

Zone 2: 5–30 feet

  • Thin trees and shrubs so they don’t touch

  • Mow tall grasses and clear dry leaves

  • Keep plants well-spaced and low-growing

Zone 3: 30–100 feet

  • Remove ladder fuels (low branches and brush)

  • Create open space between trees

  • Maintain healthy, low-fuel vegetation


Why This Matters in Boulder County

Megan Banich's burned down House.
A porcelain doll's face looks out from the Banich's 2010 photo of what remained of her home after Boulder County's Fourmile Canyon fire consumed it.

Boulder County has a long history of destructive wildfires — and with hotter, drier summers, the risks are only growing. If you live in places like Chautauqua, Nederland, Fourmile Canyon, Sunshine Canyon, Lefthand Canyon, or anywhere in the WUI (wildland-urban interface), your home is at risk.


I experienced this loss firsthand when my childhood home burned down in the 2010 Fourmile Fire. One of the only things left in the rubble was the porcelain face of a doll I used to play with — still intact among the ashes. That image has stayed with me for years, and it's part of why this work matters so much to me.


The county rebate program is one of the most proactive in the country. But it’s not just about getting money back — it’s about doing the work that could save your home and your life.


How Next Generation Landscapers Can Help

At Next Generation Landscapers, we specialize in wildfire mitigation for mountain properties. We know exactly what Boulder County is looking for — and we can help you do it right.


Whether you need:

  • A professional Home Ignition Zone assessment

  • Juniper removal and brush clearing

  • Gravel replacement for the 0–5 foot zone

  • Fence modifications or deck safety upgrades

  • Intentional and thoughtful landscape design improvements





We take care of it — and make sure you qualify for as much of your $500 Boulder County rebate as possible.

Lupine is relatively fire-resistant and can be part of a fire-wise landscape when used correctly and maintained well.It’s best placed away from your home in a clean, open planting design.

Book Your FREE Consultation Today

If you're not sure where to start, we’ll guide you through every step. Book a free Zoom or in-person consultation with our team and get expert help from a company that knows the rules — and knows what actually protects your property.




Key Resources for Boulder County Wildfire Mitigation and Rebates

  1. Boulder County Wildfire Partners Rebate Program: Learn about the $500 rebate available for homeowners undertaking wildfire mitigation efforts.

    1. Wildfire Partners Rebate Program

  2. Community Chipping Program: Discover how to participate in the free countywide chipping program to manage high-risk vegetation.

    1. Community Chipping Program

  3. Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant Program: Information on grants available for large-scale forest and grassland management projects.

    1. Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant Program

  4. Colorado State Forest Service – Home Ignition Zone: Guidelines on creating defensible space around your home to reduce wildfire risk.

    1. Home Ignition Zone Information


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