Forest Projects

Without active management, our forests become overgrown, turning into a tinderbox of fuels, including dry and dead trees. Strategic interventions — such as prescribed burns, mechanical thinning, and fuel breaks — are essential for improving forest health and slowing the progression of wildfire. These measures not only give firefighters more time to act and residents more time to evacuate, but also improve the health of our forests which benefits our watersheds, ecosystems, and wildlife. 

The collaborative is currently facilitating seven large-scale forest projects, including:

• A prescribed burn on Sunnyside mountain in Aspen anticipated in spring 2025 (with the U.S. Forest Service and Aspen Fire) 

• A 3,300-acre midvalley project in the East Sopris Creek area that will create a critical fire break for Snowmass Village (with Roaring Fork Fire, CSFS, USFS, BLM, and Sopris Mountain Ranch HOA)

• Fuels reduction projects above downtown Basalt and Marble (with the Town of Basalt, Wilds HOA, CPW, CSFS, and Roaring Fork Fire Rescue)

• Fuels reduction projects in residential Marble and a fire break above the town (with Town of Marble, CSFS, USFS and the Carbondale & Rural Fire District)

• Large scale cross-boundary projects in Carbondale (with BLM  the Carbondale & Rural Fire District)

• A large scale cross-boundary project in the Three Mile area of Glenwood Springs (with Glenwood Springs Fire District, CSFS, and USFS)

• A large scale cross-boundary project in the Four Mile area of Glenwood Springs (with Glenwood Springs Fire District, CSFS, and USFS)

These multi-partner efforts represent a critical investment in protecting lives, homes, and ecosystems.