Colorado Revised Statutes Title 23. Postsecondary Education § 23-31-321. Wildfire mitigation and preparedness--rural grant navigator grant program--creation--administration--reporting--definitions

(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:

(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 the wildfire matters review committee created in section 2-3-1602(1)(a) or, if the committee no longer exists, 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.