Colorado § 23-31-321 - Wildfire mitigation and preparedness - rural grant navigator grant program - creation - administration - reporting - definitions.

§ 23-31-321. Wildfire mitigation and preparedness - rural grant navigator grant program - creation - administration - reporting - definitions.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Department" means the department of local affairs created in section 24-1-125.

(b) "Forest service" means the Colorado state forest service identified in section 23-31-302.

(c) "Nongovernmental organization" or "NGO" has the meaning set forth in section 24-37.5-102 (20).

(d) "Rural grant navigator grant program" or "competitive grant program" means the competitive grant program authorized under subsection (2)(a) of this section.

(2) (a) The forest service shall establish a rural grant navigator grant program to provide grant money for nongovernmental organizations providing outreach and technical assistance, including grant writing assistance, to rural communities seeking to apply for federal or state grants related to wildfire mitigation and preparedness.

(b) On or after March 1, 2025, an NGO assisting one or more rural communities with obtaining federal or state grants related to wildfire mitigation or preparedness may apply to the forest service for grant money in accordance with application and eligibility guidelines that the forest service establishes pursuant to subsection (3) of this section for the competitive grant program.

(3) (a) The forest service shall consult with NGOs that currently assist or are seeking to assist Colorado communities with wildfire mitigation and preparedness to develop criteria and guidelines for the competitive grant program.

(b) The criteria and guidelines developed pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section must:

(I) Be completed and posted on the website of the forest service on or before February 28, 2025; and

(II) Include criteria and guidelines for at least the following aspects of the competitive grant program:

(A) Eligibility requirements for NGO applicants assisting rural communities in seeking federal or state grant money for wildfire mitigation and preparedness efforts;

(B) Application requirements; and

(C) Participation requirements for selected NGOs, including requirements for coordination between selected NGOs to ensure nonduplication of efforts and for periodic reporting.

(c) (I) After the forest service has created the competitive grant program, the forest service, to the best of its ability, shall consult on effective uses of the grant money and successful outcomes with:

(A) The department;

(B) The division of fire prevention and control created in section 24-33.5-1201 (1)(a);

(C) The governor's office;

(D) A rural county on the western slope;

(E) A rural county on the eastern plains; and

(F) A rural county in the southern part of the state.

(II) The forest service, in consultation with selected NGOs, shall develop metrics to help the forest service assess the success of the competitive grant program.

(4) (a) On or before March 1, 2026, and on or before March 1 each year thereafter, the forest service shall submit a written report summarizing the competitive grant program to both the house of representatives agriculture, water, and natural resources committee and the senate agriculture and natural resources committee, or their successor committees. The forest service shall post copies of the reports on its website.

(b) Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the written report specified in subsection (4)(a) of this section continues indefinitely.

Source: L. 2024: Entire section added, (HB 24-1006), ch. 209, p. 1284, § 1, effective August 7. L. 2026: (4)(a) amended, (SB 26-169), ch. 311, p. 1803, § 25, effective August 12.