As Colorado enters another challenging wildfire summer and year, the importance of preparedness, mitigation and community resilience has never been greater. State officials recently warned that persistent drought conditions, below-average snowpack and rising temperatures could contribute to an especially active fire year across Colorado.

For the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR), wildfire resilience continues to be a critical priority through Colorado Project Wildfire, the association’s statewide initiative focused on education, awareness and collaboration around wildfire preparedness. Working alongside community partners, fire professionals and local mitigation organizations, REALTORS® are increasingly becoming trusted resources for homeowners navigating wildfire risk.

Colorado Project Wildfire was created to help reduce the destruction caused by wildfires by connecting residents with practical preparedness information and mitigation resources. The initiative has expanded significantly in recent years as more Colorado communities face growing wildfire threats and related insurance challenges.

One of the Association’s strategic developments has been the partnership with Fire Adapted Colorado (FACO), a statewide nonprofit network dedicated to helping communities live more safely with wildfire. FACO works with local governments, wildfire councils, fire protection districts and community organizations across Colorado to promote wildfire resilience, defensible space, structure hardening and community preparedness.

The partnership is now leading to new REALTOR®-specific education programs designed to help real estate professionals better understand wildfire science, mitigation practices and the evolving role wildfire risk plays in homeownership and real estate transactions.

In 2025, FACO launched specialized REALTOR® training programs in a few key markets, and the response from real estate professionals has been overwhelmingly positive, prompting an expansion of the program in 2026. Four additional trainings will take place this year in partnership with FACO and local wildfire councils, including programs in Routt, Grand, Eagle and Summit counties.

The training, titled The Role of Wildfire Mitigation in Real Estate, is a certified four-hour continuing education course that provides REALTORS®:

• An overview and basics of wildfire behavior;
• Mitigation best practices:
• Local collaboration opportunities and homeowner preparedness strategies.

The curriculum is designed to help agents better educate buyers and sellers while also supporting broader community resilience efforts.

With a desire to keep the education and awareness program moving forward across the state, REALTOR® members and Association Executives have shared rave reviews including:

 “That was one of the best classes I’ve ever taken. The instructor was very knowledgeable, and it’s so important given the drought conditions we are facing.”

"Thank you so much for providing such a great, informative class. I loved that it was customized with local information and resources!"

“My members LOVED this class!”

Grand County Association of REALTORS® training session took place in early May with nearly 30 trainees. From left to right, FACO Director of Training Lara Thomas; Grand County CEO Sallie Arnold; Grand County Wildfire Council President Jessica Rahn; and Katlin Miller with the Middle Park Conservation District.

FACO leaders say REALTORS® are uniquely positioned to serve as wildfire resilience ambassadors because they often act as one of the first points of contact for new residents entering wildfire-prone communities. By understanding mitigation principles and available resources, REALTORS® can help homeowners make more informed decisions about protecting their properties and reducing risk.