Wildfire is a familiar reality in Colorado. We’ve dealt with the smoke and the unease it brings. As fire seasons become longer, hotter and less predictable, the risk feels less distant and more a part of everyday life.
At LPEA, we believe wildfire mitigation is not optional; it’s essential. That’s why we’re taking assertive, science-driven steps to reduce wildfire risk and protect the people, homes and landscapes that make this region so special.
We’ve doubled our vegetation management budget, expanded drone inspections and reinforced key sections of our grid. Our team has also conducted live wildfire simulations to ensure we’re prepared when danger arises.
But mitigation isn’t just about budgets and equipment; it’s about protecting neighborhoods and the people who live in them.
Take the Los Ranchitos neighborhood, for example. Identified as one of the highest wildfire risk areas in our service territory, Los Ranchitos is currently undergoing drone-led vegetation management made possible through a $50,000 grant from the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program.
We captured “before” photos of the area using drones, then used sophisticated software to detect areas of dense chlorophyll signaling the greenest, most combustible vegetation. That data guided our crews to the highest-risk zones for trimming and clearing. Vegetation management in the area is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks, and we’ll be sharing “before and after” photos with the community so members can see the real, measurable impact.
This is the kind of smart, targeted and accountable work your electric co-op is doing every day to help prevent disaster before it starts.
Across the U.S., power lines have been linked to devastating wildfires. LPEA maintains over 2,000 miles of overhead power lines, and we’re actively working to reclaim vegetation clearances in high-risk subdivisions, especially those with limited evacuation routes.
We’re clearing brush and limbs from either side of our lines and from the ground up, creating defensible corridors that help stop the spread of fire and improve access for first responders.
We know this work makes a difference. And yet, even with all these precautions, extreme fire weather may require Public Safety Power Shutoffs temporarily turning off electricity to prevent fire ignition. These shutoffs are never taken lightly, but when the risk is high, they may be necessary to protect lives and property.
Right now, much of our wildfire work is funded through grants and our operating budget. But with fire seasons growing more severe, we’ll need long-term, sustainable tools to continue this work and to achieve even more. In the future, we may explore additional funding mechanisms to ensure wildfire protection doesn’t fall behind. If and when we do, our commitment to transparency and accountability will not change.
We’re also urging state leaders to act. It’s time for standardized, statewide wildfire protection plans, improved insurance tools and support to help utilities meet these growing challenges. Right now, each utility is left to navigate this crisis independently. Colorado can and should do better. We’re committed to leading that conversation.
Here are some steps you can take to help prevent wildfires and stay prepared:
- Sign up for LPEA text alerts at lpea.coop/ReportOutage. It’s the fastest and most reliable way to receive updates when every minute counts. Visit lpea.coop/ReportOutage to enroll.
- Update your contact information. Make sure we can reach you with critical safety notifications by keeping your phone number and email current in our system.
- Create defensible space around your home. Clear dry vegetation, trim trees and maintain at least 30 feet of buffer space to reduce fire risk.
- Talk to your neighbors about fire preparedness. Community awareness and coordination make everyone safer during wildfire season.
Our goal at LPEA is simple: to protect our members, protect our communities and deliver power safely, every single day. With the support of our partners, our board and our members, we’re doing everything we can to stay ahead of the risk. We cannot afford to wait.
Chris Hansen is CEO of La Plata Electric Association.
