Hickenlooper Signs Wildfire Mitigation Bills In Durango

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — Legislation to boost a grant program that helps communities remove forest fuels to prevent wildfires has been signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper.

The measure adds $1 million to the Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program that was created in 2013. The program started with $9.8 million in funds. The grants are managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.

Hickenlooper signed the bill in Durango on Tuesday. While there, he also signed a bill aimed at helping veterans get experience in forest management and projects that reduce wildfire risk.

With the bill, Colorado's Department of Public Safety can use a wildfire fund to train, equip, and supervise crews comprised of veterans.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

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