$2,000 Reservoir Contribution

• SWAG and the Recovery account each contributing $1,000 to the reservoir fund

  • Recovery account holds ~$2,000+ from the Chili fundraiser (raised $1,500, given to SWAG)

  • Vote passed unanimously

• Two $1,000 checks to be written and handed to Dean and Dick at Bible study the following night

​

CWDG Grant and Wildfire Mitigation

• Community Wildfire Defense Grant: $9.86M awarded to LA County Office of Emergency Management via Big Thompson Watershed Communities

  • Covers home ignition zone (HIZ) assessments, roadside mitigation, community events, landowner training

  • Agreements being signed now; work expected to start Spring at earliest

• HIZ assessments available now: Emily and Matt (Loveland Fire) can schedule them

  • Getting an assessment is the confirmed qualification for grant assistance

  • Emily has a self-scheduling system in progress; for now, contact her directly

• SWAG discussed funneling residents toward assessments rather than sending them directly to Emily

  • Would package efforts and make SWAG more relevant

• Colorado wildfire mitigation tax deduction flagged as worth publicizing

  • Roughly 25% of qualified costs, up to $2,500/year (Colorado residents only)

  • Needs further research before communicating to the community

• Landowner volunteer hours can count as match funding toward future grants

  • Emily setting up a self-tracking system for landowners to log hours

• Firewise Community designation discussed as highest-impact path for insurance benefits

  • Liz started the application last year, stalled at the board formation step

  • Emily to connect SWAG with Glen Haven (one of only two Firewise communities in Larimer County)

  • Glen Haven and Glacier Meadows are the two certified communities; unclear if either has seen insurance benefits

 

Cedar Springs Reservoir Fundraiser Recap

• First fundraiser considered a success for awareness, if not major revenue

  • Videos drew questions and engagement from attendees

  • Gail made cinnamon rolls; Dean put the video together; combined footage from Gail, Michael, and Dean

 

Logistics and Next Steps

• Meetings moving from third Wednesday to second Wednesday of the month

  • Avoids conflict with Pine Lakes meeting (also third Wednesday)

  • No November or December meetings; resuming second Wednesday of January

• Community Hub working group: Michael volunteering to lead

  • Goal: central, easily found information source for Storm Mountain residents, especially newcomers

  • Existing channels (Facebook, email, multiple websites) are fragmented

  • Will recruit new community members; no pressure if interest is low

• Community survey (SurveyMonkey) floated to gauge resident priorities on mitigation

• White papers proposed as a way to align SWAG, Community Hub, and Firewise over the winter

 

Next Steps

• Write two $1,000 checks for the reservoir fund

  • Deliver to Dean and Dick at Bible study the following evening.

• Confirm check payee name with Dina (Gail)

  • Gail to follow up so checks are made out correctly.

• Resume Firewise application and reconnect with Chief Tim (Liz)

  • Application stalled at board formation; Emily will connect SWAG with Glen Haven for guidance.

• Research Colorado wildfire mitigation tax deduction details

  • Confirm eligible expenses and credit vs. deduction before communicating to the community.

• Stand up Community Hub working group

  • Recruit new community members; reach out to realtors as a referral channel.