The 2026 Colorado Wildland Fire Conference will focus on enhancing resilience in fire-prone landscapes and proactive strategies that prevent hazards from escalating into disasters. Attendees will explore practical solutions to support safer, more prepared, and sustainable communities in the face of growing wildfire challenges.
FACO Network
The growing FACO Network represents wildfire councils, watershed and fireshed collaboratives, fire departments and districts, and local governments working on fire adaptation in their communities and landscapes.
FACO also collaborates with many state and federal agencies, research and science groups, and other non-profit and business partners who support one or more aspects of community wildfire adaptation. Together, our place-based and partner network participants actively pursue community and residential mitigation strategies, landscape treatments, post-wildfire recovery efforts, watershed protection treatments, and other wildfire resilience efforts across the state.
Through collaboration, shared learning in our Communities of Practice (CoPs), and practical tools, FACO helps Colorado communities prepare for and respond to wildfire challenges.
Search our Network Directory or Place-Based Participant Map.
Neighborhood Ambassadors
The FAC Neighborhood Ambassador Approach is a proven methodology that empowers communities to take effective action and mitigate wildfire risks.
By fostering local leadership, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, this approach helps communities become more resilient and better prepared for future wildfire events.
- FACO has engaged over 50 wildfire professionals in Colorado and 150 nationally to build and support Neighborhood Ambassador (NA) Programs.
- Through these Coordinators, we orient new NAs to the basics of wildfire preparedness. Community volunteers who complete our NA Orientation are equipped to advance wildfire mitigation efforts in their neighborhoods
- Neighborhood Ambassador Ember Award program (microgrants for NA projects, as funding allows)
FACO Funding Assistance
Opportunity Funds and Ember Grants provide micro-funding opportunities for Network Participants to kickstart projects and drive mitigation on the ground (as funding allows).
- Launched in 2017, FACO’s Opportunity Funds offer competitive micro-grants (under $5,000) to our Network Participants, helping to kickstart transformative projects.
- Launched in 2024, FACO’s Ember Awards provide pass-through funding (up to $500) from the NFPA® and State Farm® in support of their Wildfire Community Preparedness Day efforts.
Current Competitive Funding Opportunities
Training: Learning Exchanges, Workshops, Webinars
Learning opportunities are provided to Network Participants through monthly Network calls, in-person and online learning exchanges, onsite training opportunities, workshops, and webinars. Many training opportunities result from leveraging our partnerships with other Network participants and programs.
FACO also has a YouTube channel, with playlists including webinar recordings.
Connect, Mentor, Navigate
FREE Rural Grant Navigator Assistance
Thanks to a CSFS Rural Grant Navigator Award and a new partnership with the Community Resource Center (CRC), FACO will continue to provide free, comprehensive grant navigator services to help communities access critical resources for mitigation and preparedness. Our navigators offer personalized assistance with:
- Identifying Funding Opportunities
- Helping you find relevant local, state, and federal grant opportunities and other financial avenues aligned with your community’s needs.
- Assessing Grant Fit & Readiness
- Determining whether a funding opportunity is a strong match for your project, capacity, and funder priorities.
- Application Support and Review
- Guidance through the grant application process, including proposal review and feedback.
- One-on-One Grant Writing Coaching
- Individualized coaching support for FACO members seeking deeper assistance, including support for government grant opportunities such as the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG).
- Training and Capacity Building Opportunities
- Access to free and heavily discounted CRC trainings and workshops, such as AI for Grant Writing, Get Government Grants, and the Funded Futures Skills Track, and other on-demand training resources to help you build long-term grant and fundraising capacity.
The Funded Futures Skills Track package includes: One-on-One CRC Guide & Coaching Support, Access to CRC’s Nonprofit Grant Toolkit, Colorado Grants Guide® Membership, 4-Part Grant Training Series | All FACO Navigator Clients recieve this $1,000 package for $100 with cost-share assistance. Register & Read More here.
This initiative is designed to increase grant application success, build local capacity, and support long-term wildfire risk reduction efforts across Colorado. The first step to taking advantage of this program is to request assistance by filling out the Intake Form linked below. Once you have requested navigator support, we will follow up with you. Please reach out to sophie[at]fireadaptedco.org for discount codes and cost share assistance for CRC trainings and resources.
Connect, Mentor, Navigate
FACO provides an essential platform to connect wildfire resilience practitioners and thought leaders throughout Colorado.
Our Network facilitates relationships and connections among diverse groups, communities, and agencies, increasing cooperation across management boundaries and helping everyone become more effective and successful.
FACO strives to participate in programs such as the Community Navigator Program and the Rural Grant Navigator Program to assist rural communities applying for federal or state grants related to wildfire mitigation and preparedness. Through these programs, we help up-and-coming communities and organizations navigate complex government grants.
Communications
FACO delivers timely information that keeps Colorado’s mitigation professionals informed and amplifies the Live Wildfire Ready and Smoke Ready programs through our website and various media channels.
Professionals rely on our Network Directory, monthly network calls, special topic webinars, communities of practice, a robust newsletter, legislative updates, industry updates, funding opportunities, and more.
Advocacy
We are Thought Leaders for Transformative Legislative Action. Advocating for initiates including:
- Funding mitigation investments over response. *For every $1 spent on wildfire mitigation, an average of $6 is saved in recovery (FEMA, 2018)
- Streamlined funding opportunities to reduce agency overhead and “fiscal virga” (funding that evaporates before reaching the ground)
- Consider all wildfire organizations, not just state agencies and local government, in policy implementation and investment
FACO brings wildfire resilience expertise at all stages of legislation. We’ve been instrumental in generating policy solutions, enhancing and sharing perspectives on proposals, and supporting execution and program delivery.
FACO’s leadership provides expert guidance for the statewide Wildfire Resiliency Code, Prescribed Fire, Insurance, State grant programs, Live Wildfire Ready, and more.
We offer subject matter expertise, connections, and a commitment to raising the voices of a growing statewide network of wildfire leaders around the state and national partners. FACO is the only organization dedicated to supporting the professionals who support fire adaptation efforts in their Colorado communities.
Legislative Tracker
Partnerships
Fire Adapted Colorado is a knowledgeable resource and partner in wildfire resilience, alongside state agencies.
State program managers rely on our expertise and Network for the planning and implementation of initiatives, including DNR’s Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program, the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Wildfire Ready Watersheds Program, and the joint Live Wildfire Ready campaign.
Expand the National and State Partners categories view in our Network Directory to see the partnerships we cultivate. These partnerships are a key strength and essential element in connecting wildfire leaders with the resources necessary for achieving significant risk reduction in Colorado.
Colorado Wildland Fire Conference
Fire Adapted Colorado is the convener and fiscal sponsor of Colorado’s premier Wildland Fire Conference, produced and hosted with the support and cooperation of partners and sponsors.
The CWFC advances and expands wildfire adaptation by providing training and collaboration opportunities for professionals working to improve wildfire outcomes in Colorado communities and landscapes.
The theme of the 2026 conference is Rooted in Resilience.
The #2026CWFC will be held in Fort Collins, April 14-16, 2026
