Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and Major General Robert Davis Visit Colorado's First CONG/AmeriCorps Wildfire Mitigation Crew

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera visited Steamboat Springs today to meet with members of Colorado's first-in-the-nation Colorado National Guard (CONG)/AmeriCorps Wildfire Mitigation Crew. The visit highlighted the innovative partnership between the Colorado National Guard and Serve Colorado (AmeriCorps), which is managed in the Office of the Lt. Governor, showcasing how national service can be leveraged to strengthen wildfire resilience, build workforce skills, and create clear pathways into conservation and public service careers.

"This groundbreaking program demonstrates the power of service to protect our communities while creating meaningful career opportunities," said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. "By combining the expertise of the Colorado National Guard with the energy and dedication of AmeriCorps members, we are not only mitigating wildfire risks but also preparing the next generation of public service leaders and conservation professionals."

The CONG/AmeriCorps pilot represents the first time in history that a state service commission has successfully combined National Guard service with AmeriCorps service.

"The Colorado National Guard is immensely proud to partner with Serve Colorado on this first-in-the-nation initiative," said Major General Robert Davis, Colorado's Adjutant General and Executive Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "This collaboration is a testament to the innovative spirit and dedication to service that define our Guard members. By serving as AmeriCorps members on the wildfire mitigation crew, our service members are not only developing new, mission-critical skills that bolster their professional growth and readiness, but they are also directly contributing to the resilience and safety of our communities across Colorado. It's a powerful model for leveraging the strengths of the Guard to meet the most pressing needs of our state."

Adding to the praise for this collaborative effort, Scott Segerstrom, Executive Director of the Colorado Youth Corps Association, highlighted the broader impact of the pilot.

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"The Colorado National Guard Wildland Fire pilot program represents the best of what partnerships with the federal government can achieve," Segerstrom said. "Many different organizations have come together to not only train the next generation of wildland firefighters from our military, but to protect the lives and communities of Coloradans. This collaboration represents a new frontier for AmeriCorps in expanding service and elevating our communities."

U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper also commended the initiative, noting its national significance.

"Wildfires are getting more frequent and more dangerous," said Senator John Hickenlooper. "This pilot program leverages the long history of service from AmeriCorps and the National Guard to strengthen our firefighting workforce and get more hands helping to protect our communities. It's the kind of Colorado innovation the whole country can learn from."

Launched in May 2025 through a collaboration among Serve Colorado, the Colorado National Guard, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Colorado Youth Corps Association, the Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Forest Service, the CONG/AmeriCorps pilot program allows Guard members to serve simultaneously as AmeriCorps members. This unique model integrates national service with military readiness, positioning Colorado as a national leader in service-based climate resilience and workforce development.

"RMYC is honored to host this initial National Guard and Wildland Fire pilot program. None of this would have been possible without the collaboration of so many land management and service-focused agencies, and of course, the National Guard members on the ground working tirelessly to complete vital wildland fuels mitigation work," said Ryan Banks, CEO of Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. "This year has been a huge success, and we look forward to the future of this program."

Building on that success, state leaders also underscored how the program complements Colorado's broader wildfire strategy and workforce development goals.

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"The Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program's workforce development grant has a dual focus of reducing wildfire risk and increasing the forestry and wildfire workforce," said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of Colorado's Department of Natural Resources. "This pilot project and partnership with the Colorado Youth Corps Association and Colorado National Guard is a perfect melding of these missions. I am thrilled that National Guard members spent their summers in service through mitigation efforts and gaining valuable experience working on wildland fires. I am grateful for these member's contributions to my department's efforts to reduce wildfire risk to lives, property and infrastructure."

Together, these partnerships demonstrate how Colorado is building a more coordinated and resilient approach to wildfire mitigation — one that connects service, workforce training, and community protection.

During the visit, Lt. Governor Primavera toured the project site with crew members, observing wildfire mitigation work across high-risk areas, and discussed the program's outcomes, including:

Successful Pilot Launch: The three-member crew completed a full wildfire mitigation season, working closely with Serve Colorado, the Colorado National Guard, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Colorado Youth Corps Association, Department of Natural Resources.

Workforce Impact: Two crew members have already received full-time wildland firefighting job offers following their service, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in translating service into career opportunities.

Replicable Framework: The pilot has garnered national attention as a model for integrating national service with military readiness and workforce development, offering lessons for other states and agencies seeking innovative approaches to public service and climate resilience.

Strengthened Partnerships: Collaboration among Serve Colorado, the Colorado National Guard, DNR, and federal partners has deepened state-federal coordination and showcased the power of cross-sector solutions to meet urgent statewide needs.

The visit also provided an opportunity to meet the crew directly, hear about their experiences, and recognize their dedication to wildfire mitigation and community protection.

This pilot program reflects Colorado's commitment to innovation in public service, workforce development, and climate resilience. It offers a replicable model for other states and highlights the impact of strategic partnerships that bring together national service, military readiness, and community-based conservation efforts.

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