Highway 72 Emergency Evacuation Mitigation Meeting

We are a group of local partners and community members working to reduce wildfire risk in Coal Creek Canyon through implementation of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). We are reaching out to property owners along Colorado State Highway 72 to share information about a proposed roadside wildfire mitigation project in the planning phase.

Highway 72 is one of the canyon’s primary evacuation and emergency response routes. During high wind wildfire events, continuous roadside vegetation can increase fire intensity and spread. Reducing fuels along this corridor helps improve evacuation safety, firefighter access, and protection for surrounding properties.

We are identifying priority areas along Highway 72 where coordinated work extending about 300 feet on either side of the road could reduce risk across property boundaries and along this critical route.

This project is currently in the planning phase, and no work will occur on private property without your permission. Participation is voluntary, and all treatments are site specific and developed with landowners. The goal is strategic thinning and ladder fuel reduction, not clearcutting or removing healthy screening trees.

You are invited to an informational meeting where we will share maps of priority areas, explain what roadside treatments may look like, discuss potential funding and cost share options, answer questions and gather input, and provide a way to express interest in a future site visit.

A virtual option is available for those who live out of town or are unable to attend. In person participation allows for better engagement and discussion, so please join us on site if possible. Virtual meeting details are below:

Highway 72 Emergency Evacuation Mitigation Meeting

Monday, May 18 · 6:00 – 7:00pm

Time zone: America/Denver

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/acs-npsx-mtq

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 909-929-1459‬ PIN: ‪409 803 230‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/acs-npsx-mtq?pin=2168394408365

If you are unable to attend but are interested in learning more or participating, please contact Rebecca Fisher at rebecca.fisher@jeffersoncd.com.

You can also read the Wildfire Mitigation Guide for Coal Creek Canyon for additional information on roadside mitigation.

This effort builds on the Coal Creek Canyon CWPP, which identifies priority actions to reduce wildfire risk across the community. To learn more about the local CWPP visit https://www.coalcreekcwpp.org/.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to connecting with you.