Notes from the Director: The Importance of Reflection
In this month’s newsletter, we are taking a moment to reflect on the past. Whether this is recognizing the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood (which was celebrated on the first of August), taking a moment to respectfully honor past disasters we have overcome, or reflecting on innovative efforts like the Climate Resilience Challenge.
While being resilient is often focused on preparing for future conditions, it’s also important to pause and reflect on past events, efforts, and policies with our partners. We have integrated this practice into our efforts with the Colorado Resiliency Working Group to capitalize on lessons learned and to make better decisions based on past experiences. Part of being proactive is to embrace institutional knowledge, and it is also to check in on whether existing processes are working.
It is not lost on me how far we have come as a state. Facing adversity is nothing new to us. I also know that we continue to strive as a state to be stronger, more connected, and ready for what is next.
- Anne Miller and the CRO team
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What's New at CRO?
 Remembering the 1976 Big Thompson Flood
On July 31, 2026, the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management commemorated the 50th anniversary of one of Colorado’s most devastating flash flooding disasters, the Big Thompson Flood of 1976, in which 144 lives were lost. The CRO’s Recovery Manager, Shayle Sabo, attended the event, which honored those impacted by sharing their incredible stories of innovation, adaptation, and creativity. These included stories such as when National Weather Service forecasters had to create hand-drawn radar due to limited technology, the coordination between dispatchers and local HAM radio operators when primary systems failed as a result of damaged infrastructure, the bravery of first responders who faced the danger to save lives, and how neighbors came together to help neighbors during and after the flood occurred.
Colorado Resiliency Working Group Retreat
The Colorado Resiliency Working Group (CRWG) gathered for its quarterly meeting and annual retreat to dive deep into key collective action opportunities to advance resilience. During this meeting, agency partners explored innovative ways to align and de-silo funding, how to leverage and enhance existing funding programs, and where the State could better pursue new resiliency-related funding opportunities.
National Sustainability Society Conference
At the National Sustainability Society Annual Conference at the Colorado State University Spur Campus, Anne Miller, CRO Director, was featured on a panel alongside other national resilience leaders including Josh Saks from the Georgetown Climate Center and Sarah Alexander from Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. This session discussed lessons from national research and local leaders, including the Colorado Resilience Office, on how resilience and sustainability teams can join forces to break down barriers to better funding, innovative solutions, and a stronger long-term impact.
 CRO Director Anne Miller (right) sits with Josh Saks (middle) of Georgetown Climate Center, and Sarah Alexander from Massachusets Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
August Resiliency Conversation: Climate Planning Trends and Resources
 Climate Action Plans can help assess and communicate how projected changes in climate may impact a community in social, economic, and environmental terms, and identify actionable and measurable strategies for minimizing those impacts. The August Resiliency Conversation covers trends, best practices, and recommended resources the Colorado Resiliency Office (CRO) is elevating for climate planning across Colorado.
Resiliency News
 Supporting Local Communities During the 2026 Colorado Wildfires
The Department of Local Affairs continues to support Colorado communities as they navigate this year’s wildfires. This includes coordinating with partners to share information and resources, like during July's Local Government Resources Call, standing up Disaster Assistance Centers like the one we saw in Pueblo, and coordinating with State agency partners in the transition from response to recovery.
Funding Highlights
 Natural Disaster Mitigation Enterprise Grant
The Natural Disaster Mitigation Enterprise (NDME) will fund grants to local governments to implement resilience and natural disaster mitigation measures, and match funds required by federal grants dedicated to implement pre-disaster mitigation measures. Applications are due August 31, 2026.
DOLA Launches New Housing Funding Directory
DOLA’s Division of Housing launched a new Housing Funding Directory, creating a centralized searchable resource designed to help nonprofit organizations, housing authorities, developers, local governments, and other community partners quickly identify funding programs that support housing initiatives across Colorado.
A DOLA partner recently said:
“I'm 100% convinced the states that invest in resources to make it easier for their communities to track and compete for grants are the states that will see the most funding coming into their communities.”
Funding Opportunities Released for Native Entities and Tribal Broadband
On June 17, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued Notices of Funding Opportunity for both the Native Entities Grant Program and Round 3 of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. For full program details, please visit the BroadbandUSA website.
Colorado Urban and Community Forestry Grants
The Colorado State Forest Service’s urban forestry grants are available to support efforts to improve the health, resilience, safety, and sustainability of Colorado’s urban forests. Application Deadline: September 21, 2026.
Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) Grants
The Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) grants encourage community level actions to reduce risk of wildfire, promote forest health, and encourage use of woody material for forest products and biomass energy. Applications open August 3, 2026, through October 8, 2026.
New Federal Funding Opportunities
The DOLA Local Community Funding Guide is up to date with many federal funding opportunities, including WaterSMART, Brownfields, Transit, and many Bureau of Land Management opportunities for forest and wildfire management.
Events
 Local Legal Support Initiative Webinars
August 27, 2026, 10-11 a.m. | Virtual | Register for LLSI Webinar
Through DOLA’s Local Legal Support Initiative (LLSI), Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) will be hosting a monthly webinar series for local governments, Tribes, special districts, and Colorado-based non-profit organizations to discuss federal funding issues.
All dates and webinar information available on DOLA's LLSI website.
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Conference
September 1 - 4, 2026 | Glenwood Springs, CO | Event Information & Registration
The Local Emergency Planning Committee Conference, hosted by the Colorado Emergency Planning Committee is open to LEPC members, first responders, and local, state, and federal partners responsible for hazardous material transportation response planning. Registration closes for this event on August 21, 2026.
Peer Exchange for Colorado’s 2025 Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) Implementation
September 2, 2026, 2 - 3 p.m. | Virtual | Register for CWRC Peer Exchange
The Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), in partnership with the DLG’s Colorado Resiliency Office (CRO), hosts a monthly Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) Implementation Peer Exchange for adoption of the recently released CWRC. Please register to attend and receive peer exchange-related email updates.
NOTE: The meetings are not open to the general public; the Peer Exchange is for implementing agencies and partners only.
Resilience in the Rockies Summit
October 20, 2026 | Denver, CO | Registration Information
WaterNow Alliance and Waterloop are hosting the Resilience in the Rockies Summit, bringing together water professionals, local leaders, policymakers, and community partners from across Colorado to share practical strategies for advancing water conservation as a long-term water supply strategy.
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