Taking small mitigation measures now can make a big difference later.

Wildfires have been a big topic in the news in 2025, with recent catastrophic wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Several insurers have pulled out of California or reduced their insurance offerings.

Renewed concern is that a similar fate could hit the Colorado insurance market. Home insurance rates have risen in Colorado, making coverage challenging for some property owners.

Proactive efforts in Colorado include a new law mandating that insurers tell homeowners what they can do to lower their risk, provide information on how they calculate risk, and publicize potential discounts for homeowners. It also gives homeowners the ability to appeal their risk score.

Realtor® organizations like the Vail Board of REALTORS® (VBR) closely followed the bill. Realtors® are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), one of the country's most effective property rights advocacy organizations - and support efforts to protect homeowners.

Fortunately for Eagle County residents, there is a well-established mitigation program called REALFire®.

Reducing Wildfire Threats

REALFire® provides free property assessments to educate residents on how their homes and landscaping may be susceptible to wildfire and specific ways to reduce wildfire threats. The program was developed and managed locally by Eagle County in collaboration with the VBR.

During the assessment, the expert will evaluate your home's ignition zone, extending up to 200 feet from the house. This includes features like roofing and siding materials, decks, landscaping features, and the location of structures like sheds or firewood storage. Property owners can find information and apply for the program at realfire.net.

After the assessment, property owners receive a report with mitigation actions specific to their property. The actions must be completed to earn the REALFire® certificate.

Eric Lovgren, Eagle County Wildfire Mitigation manager, is one of the experts conducting inspections through the program.

While mitigation does not guarantee that a home will survive a wildfire, there are examples where mitigation helped properties survive direct wildfire threats, such as Eagle County's Lake Christine Fire, which burned near Basalt and El Jebel in 2018.

Homes that performed mitigation and created defensible space fared well. Hundreds of homes were defended in that fire, but only three were lost.

Lovgren advises that property owners can affect change by taking personal responsibility for mitigation. Proactive homeowners who create defensible space can spare their own homes and possibly their neighbors' homes and allow firefighters to focus on communities at large.

"We keep referring to unprecedented times," adds Lovgren. "Unfortunately, unprecedented times are becoming the norm with climate change, drought conditions, and the expansion of the Wildland-Urban Interface. The reality of the risk is that we are also testing the capacity of first responders."

An Insurer's Point of View

If your insurance company deems your home to be in a high-risk area, NAR suggests a few things you can do to help manage the costs. This includes contacting an insurance professional to discuss your insurance needs and comparing quotes from multiple insurers, including surplus lines. It's also suggested that you get a wildfire-prepared certification from an organization like REALFire®.

"Lowering your wildfire score reduces the potential of damage and can be an advantage for insurance," says Jon Morse, Vail Board of REALTORS® Affiliate. "It can be as simple as removing mulch in landscaping or replacing combustible plants like juniper. People are sometimes reluctant to do this – thinking they may change the property's aesthetics. The benefits outweigh any doubts they may have."

Morse, a lead agent with Comparion Insurance Agency, suggests that in addition to mitigation, it's always a good time to review your insurance policies.

"Sometimes home buyers go with a policy to just get by for the closing process," says Morse. "But I suggest working with a reputable, premier company that is more likely to be nationally known and understands the nuances of coverage in a state like Colorado where we see fire, hail, and wind damage."

"I tell my clients, 'If this was my house, this is what I would do.' This is the coverage I would consider," adds Morse.

Morse also suggests that homeowners inventory their homes proactively in case of a worst-case scenario, like wildfire damage. He advises going through each room and videoing everything, from electronics to clothing.

"When dealing with damage or a total home loss, it's obviously very traumatic," says Morse. "You don't want to be trying to recall what you've lost in a terrible situation. Also, if you must make an insurance claim, it makes it easier for the company to process your claim and cover your items."

Engaging & Encouraging Community

The VBR engages its members by hosting an annual course. Both Morse and Lovgren are involved as presenters and content providers. The goal is to educate Realtors® and VBR members on the benefits of mitigation and the REALFire® Program.

VBR's efforts also include a page on the VBR website dedicated to wildfire awareness (vbr.net/free-wildfire-assessment) and distributing copies of a "Wildfire Reference Guide" to homeowners. The public is encouraged to contact a Realtor® or the VBR for a copy.

"The Vail Board of Realtors and its members are always willing to help educate the public," says Morse. "If we can make a few more people aware every year, then it's worth all the effort."

Visit realfire.net for more information on wildfire risk reduction and property assessments. Visit vbr.net to find a Realtor® who is knowledgeable about our mountain resort market.