Colorado Springs Fire Department runs the county's most built-out program: defensible-space guidance focused on the first 30 feet, stipend funding for homeowners in the city's WUI, a low-flammability plant list, and published lists of approved contractors, licensed contractors, and trained landscapers. Outside the city, county and fire-district guidance applies.

The approach	Focus on the first 30 feet around the structure; create 15-foot separation between structures and vegetation (exceptions for deciduous, flowerbeds, high-moisture plants); trees must not extend over the roof or under eaves.
Stipend funding	Available only to homeowners within the city's Wildland-Urban Interface — download the stipend guidelines from the CSFD page for current terms.
Contractor lists	CSFD publishes an Approved Contractors list, a Licensed Contractors list, and a Trained Landscapers list — three vetted starting points for hiring.
Also on the CSFD site	Low-flammability landscape plant list, chipping program history, codes and standards, and a mitigation tax credit explainer.

Details to confirm with the county

We couldn't confirm the following from El Paso County's official pages. Check these with the county before you rely on them:

• Stipend dollar amounts and current funding status (in the guidelines PDF).
• Unincorporated El Paso County program offerings outside Colorado Springs city limits.

Verified July 2026 · Source: Colorado Springs Fire Department — COS Wildfire Ready (Defensible Space)