GILPIN COUNTY — Residents gathered at the Gilpin County Public Library on Tuesday, April 28, for a practical look at how to live with the threat of wildfire. 

The presentation “Native and Firewise Landscaping” featured Derek Lowstuter and Jane Billings, who walked those present through steps homeowners can take to reduce fire risk.

The message was clear. Wildfire is not a question of if, but when, especially for those living in the wildland-urban interface. Preparing a property is not a one-time task, but an ongoing responsibility that begins at the home and moves outward.

Home ignition zone explained

Lowstuter outlined the concept of the home ignition zone, breaking it into three areas that determine how fire behaves around a structure.

Derek Lowstuter explains the home ignition zone, emphasizing the critical first five feet around a structure.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Zone 1, the first five feet around a home, is where the most intensive work happens. This area should be hardened with noncombustible materials, free of debris, and cleared of anything that could ignite from embers, which can travel miles ahead of a wildfire.

Zone 2 extends from five to 30 feet. Here, residents were advised to thin trees, remove ladder fuels, and create spacing between vegetation to keep fire on the ground rather than allowing it to climb into the canopy. Pruning branches, mowing grass, and removing dead material are key steps.

Zone 3, from 30 to 100 feet, was described as a “managed wild” space. The goal is not landscaping in the traditional sense but reducing fuel loads and maintaining forest health through thinning and treatment of slash.

“The closer that you get to the structure, the more management is needed,” Lowstuter said, emphasizing that defensible space can determine whether firefighters are able to engage when a fire approaches.

Forests out of balance

Lowstuter also addressed broader forest conditions across Colorado. Decades of fire suppression, combined with logging and grazing practices, have led to denser forests with less diversity. These overcrowded stands are more vulnerable to severe wildfire and insect outbreaks.

Master Gardener Jane Billings speaks with attendees after the presentation, answering questions and sharing plant examples for firewise landscaping.

Photo by Mindy Leary

“Because you have these really overstocked stands…you create these communities that are compromised when it comes to forest resilience,” he said.

Mountain pine beetle activity is also expected to increase in the coming years, particularly in ponderosa pine stands, adding another layer of risk for homeowners.

Firewise plants and native landscaping

Gilpin County Master Gardener Jane Billings shifted the focus to landscaping and how plant choices can reduce flammability while supporting the local ecosystem.

Firewise plants, she explained, are not fireproof, but less flammable. Plants are rated on a scale, and those scoring eight to 10 are recommended for use in Zone 2. Characteristics like high moisture content, low resin, and compact growth make a difference.

Native plants were strongly encouraged, not just for fire resistance, but also for water conservation and habitat. In Colorado, landscaping accounts for a significant portion of residential water use, much of it tied to turf grass.

“Native plants know how to survive a drought,” Billings said, pointing to their deep root systems and adaptability to local conditions.

She also spoke of the ecological benefits. Native landscapes support pollinators, birds, and mammals, helping restore biodiversity that has been lost to development.

A native plant guide can be found at conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Native-Plant-Guide-Mountains.pdf. 

Balancing beauty and mitigation

Attendees were encouraged to view Zone 2 as both functional and aesthetic. Homeowners were given guidance on how to create visually appealing landscapes using native flowers, shrubs, and rock features while still reducing fire risk.

Spacing, height variation, and placement all matter. Even small design choices, like incorporating paths or rock groupings, can serve as minor firebreaks.

Highly flammable species like juniper were discouraged near homes, though Billings noted their value for wildlife when placed farther from structures.

Shared responsibility

Throughout the evening, speakers returned to one central point: wildfire mitigation works best when entire communities participate.

Individual efforts improve a home’s chances of survival, but coordinated action among neighbors creates stronger, more resilient landscapes.

“Every community member has a role,” the presentation materials noted, including homeowners, land managers, and first responders.

Lowstuter encouraged residents with follow-up questions to reach out directly at derek.lowstuter@colostate.edu.

For Gilpin County residents, the evening served as both a warning and a roadmap. The tools are available; the responsibility starts at home.