This project assists multiple areas of local cooperative forestry including urban and community forestry, forest health protection, forest stewardship and rural forestry assistance

Colorado State University received a $6.8M Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 2 (Rocky Mountain Region), under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664), awarded September 12, 2025, with completion targeted for August 24, 2030. The grant funds collaborative forestry initiatives across Colorado addressing multiple areas of local cooperative forestry, including urban and community forestry, forest health protection, forest stewardship, and rural forestry assistance. Key deliverables encompass threat identification and mitigation activities focused on invasive species management and wildfire risk reduction, while simultaneously enhancing forest benefits such as clean water protection, wildlife habitat quality, recreational opportunities, and community safety.

Through this five-year funding period, the university will leverage its expertise in natural resource management and technical services to implement on-the-ground forest management activities and provide technical assistance to private landowners and rural communities across Colorado's non-federal forest lands. The program supports integrated forest health initiatives that align with state priorities and promote sustainable management practices benefiting both environmental and community objectives.

Collaboratively these programs identify threats such as invasive species and wildfire risk, while enhancing forest benefits like clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and community safety.