Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 Near Ward

Wildfire Partners Opens Free Countywide Community Chipping Program for 2026 Near Ward

Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners program is accepting registrations for the 2026 community chipping season. Residents in the wildland-urban interface can have tree limbs, brush, and other woody debris chipped at no cost. Last year the program processed over 2,400 loads of material from 1,100 properties across the county.

A community information session will be held at the Lafayette library on Saturday, May 2 at 6:00 PM. Translation services in Spanish and Nepali will be available. The session will also be livestreamed on the Boulder County YouTube channel.

The project includes improvements along Niwot Road between Lafayette and the intersection with Arapahoe Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 17 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

The application deadline is July 8, 2026. Late applications will be accepted on a space-available basis. Incomplete applications will be returned with a list of missing items. Average review time is 12 business days.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 70% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $62,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Community Impact

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $246,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2026 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 1,876 affordable housing units since its inception, with 90 additional units in the development pipeline.