Free Resource for Colorado Homeowners

Wildfire Mitigation Checklist: Zone-by-Zone Home Defense

A practical, printable checklist built around Colorado's fire season — organized by defensible space zone, with home hardening items, seasonal timing and documentation tips for grants and insurance.

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Before You Start

How to use this checklist

This checklist is organized into four zones based on the NFPA 1144 defensible space framework, which is also the standard used by the Colorado State Forest Service, most Colorado county inspection programs and the state's 25% wildfire mitigation tax credit.

The zones work outward from your home. Zone 1 (0–5 ft and 5–30 ft) is the most critical — ember ignitions within 30 feet of the structure cause the majority of home losses in Colorado wildfires. Zone 2 (30–100 ft) slows fire approach and reduces radiant heat. Zone 3 (beyond 100 ft) provides additional buffer on steeper slopes.

Documentation tip: Photograph before and after each task with GPS-tagged photos on your phone. Keep a simple dated log. This documentation is required for the Colorado wildfire mitigation tax credit and supports insurance discount requests. We can also provide a professional before/after assessment if you need formal documentation for a grant application.

The Checklist

Zone-by-Zone Wildfire Mitigation Tasks

Work from the house outward. Zone 1 tasks have the highest impact — complete these first every year before fire season.

Structure The Home Itself

These structural items are the most durable defense. Many qualify for the Colorado tax credit and may earn insurance discounts.

Roof is Class A rated (metal, tile, or Class A shingles)
All roof vents replaced with ember-resistant screens (ASTM E2886)
Gutters cleaned of all debris and dry leaves
Gutter guards installed or gutters screened
Exterior siding is noncombustible or ignition-resistant
Multi-pane windows with tempered outer glass
Garage door gaps sealed — no light visible from inside
Foundation vents screened with 1/16" mesh or ember-resistant vents
Chimney cap installed and spark arrestor in place
Exterior light fixtures and electrical outlets covered/sealed
Propane tank at least 10 feet from structure with fuel cleared around it
Wood piles moved at least 30 feet from structure

Zone 1A 0–5 Feet From the Structure (Immediate Zone)

The most critical zone. Embers landing here ignite most homes. Use noncombustible materials only.

All combustible mulch (wood, bark) replaced with gravel, rock or bare soil
Deadwood and dry leaf litter removed from ground surface
No woody plants, shrubs or ornamentals within 5 feet of the structure
No combustible outdoor furniture left against the house
Deck boards and underside cleared of debris accumulation
Under-deck area enclosed with 1/8" or finer mesh screen
Attached fences (wood/composite) at least 5 feet separated from structure or replaced with metal
Window well covers installed (metal mesh)
Doormats removed or replaced with noncombustible options
Potted plants with dead material removed or moved away

Zone 1B 5–30 Feet From the Structure (Lean, Clean & Green)

Keep it lean, clean and green. Irrigated, well-spaced vegetation dramatically reduces heat exposure to the structure.

All dead trees, shrubs and plants removed
Dry leaves and pine needles removed from ground surface
Grass mowed short and irrigated or replaced with low-fuel groundcover
No tree limbs hanging over the structure's roof
Tree branches pruned to at least 6–10 ft above ground (removes ladder fuels)
Trees spaced at least 10 feet crown-to-crown (more on slopes)
Shrubs grouped into islands with 3× their height in separation
No shrubs directly under tree canopy drip line
Ornamental plantings verified as low-ignition species
Landscape mulch noncombustible or Class A rated organic mulch only
No wood fencing connecting to structure (gap or replace with metal gate)

Zone 2 30–100 Feet From the Structure (Reduced Fuel Zone)

Reduce fuel density and break up continuity so fire slows before reaching Zone 1. Spacing requirements increase on steeper slopes.

Dead trees and standing dead wood removed or felled and removed
Tree crown spacing maintained (min. 10 ft, 20–30 ft on steep slopes)
Ladder fuels removed — shrubs under trees cleared
Low-hanging branches pruned to 6–10 ft above ground
Fallen logs and heavy surface debris removed or redistributed
Dense shrub masses thinned to reduce continuity
Grass mowed or treated before it dries out seasonally
Slash piles removed or chipped — no large piles left on site
Outbuildings, sheds: apply same Zone 1 rules around their perimeter
Access road/driveway edges cleared of overhanging vegetation

Zone 3 Beyond 100 Feet (Slope Buffer — Where Required)

Required on slopes over 20–40% and in Very High or Extreme hazard areas. Extend treatment toward the uphill property boundary.

Dense brush identified and thinned on approach slopes
Dead wood and blow-down cleared from uphill side
No unbroken shrub corridors running uphill toward Zone 2
Fuelbreak established at or near property boundary where possible
Coordinate with neighbors on shared boundary treatment
Treatment consistent with any CWPP or community fuel break plan

When to Do It

Colorado wildfire mitigation — seasonal timing

Spring (March–May)

Clear winter debris accumulation from Zone 1
Check and replace ember-resistant vent screens
Clean gutters after snowmelt
Schedule contractor for Zone 2 tree thinning before fire season
Apply for CSFS cost-share grants (typically open spring)

Early Summer (June)

Mow grass in Zones 1 & 2 before it cures
Remove dead annuals and dry plant debris
Complete Zone 1 clearance before fire season peak
Review evacuation plan with household
Assemble Go Bag and sign up for county alerts

Peak Season (July–Sept)

Weekly grass mowing in Zone 1 during drought
Remove dry dead vegetation as it appears
Check fire restrictions before any outdoor burning
Keep Zone 1 irrigated if possible
Maintain clear address numbers for emergency access

Fall (Oct–Nov)

Clear fallen leaves from Zone 1 and roof/gutters
Remove dead annuals before winter
Schedule major tree work (best dormant-season timing)
Photograph completed work for tax credit documentation
Collect contractor receipts for 25% state credit filing

Documentation & Credits

Keep records — every task can pay you back

Colorado's 25% wildfire mitigation income tax credit applies to defensible space, fuels reduction, home hardening and related work performed by a licensed contractor. To claim it, you need:

A written contract or invoice from a licensed contractor
Proof of payment
A brief description of work performed keyed to qualifying categories
The contractor's license number

We provide all documentation required for the tax credit with every project — no extra steps needed on your end. For insurance discount applications, we also provide before/after photo sets and a written site assessment letter.

See All Funding Options

Forestry professional thinning trees — wildfire mitigation checklist in action

Need Help?

Not sure what to tackle or where to start?

A professional site assessment gives you a prioritized, zone-by-zone work plan based on your property's specific fuels, slope, and structure type — not a generic checklist. We identify what matters most for your situation and provide the documentation you need for grants and insurance.

Free Wildfire Risk Assessment

We walk your property zone-by-zone, rate each area against NFPA 1144 standards and give you a written report with prioritized recommendations.

Defensible Space Service

Full Zone 1 and Zone 2 clearing, pruning and treatment — done by our crew, documented for the tax credit and insurance discount.

Fuels Reduction & Tree Work

For larger Zone 2 and Zone 3 work — tree thinning, ladder fuel removal, forestry mulching and large slash processing.

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