(BEULAH, Colo.) — The Beulah Fire and Ambulance District announced on Tuesday, May 28, that it was awarded a grant to help Beulah property owners in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) with wildland fire mitigation around their homes.

The grant will also fund the creation of a shaded fuel break along private properties bordering Highway 78 in the “12-mile” section. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Beulah Fire $7,010,750 to complete the project over five years.

“Wildfires are now a year-round threat in Colorado,” said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper. “Investments – like this grant – help communities and homeowners prepare for wildfires by thinning nearby trees and preparing safe evacuation routes.”

This grant was made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program (CWDG). The 158 projects across 31 states, two territories, and 11 tribes will help reduce the risk of living in high-risk wildland fire areas.

The CWDG program is investing $1 billion over five years to assist at-risk communities nationwide.

“We are thrilled to be awarded this grant and offer our residents the opportunity to create a Fire Adaptive Community,” said Chief Bryan Ware, Beulah Fire Chief. “The impact that the CWDG program will have on Beulah will be one that lasts for generations.”