The Teller County Board of Commissioners has expressed its strong support for H.R. 528, the Post‑Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025. The bill, introduced by Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, focuses on restoring forests and landscapes devastated by wildfires and other natural disasters through local partnerships and proactive recovery programs.
In a letter to Congresswoman Pettersen, the Board outlined the lasting challenges Colorado communities continue to face after catastrophic wildfires. Severe burns often result in erosion, damaged watersheds, declining wildlife habitat, and increased flood risk. In many areas, forests do not naturally regenerate without active intervention, placing additional pressure on local governments already working to protect water sources, public safety, and economic stability.
H.R. 528 would allow the Department of the Interior to work directly with states, counties, tribes, and local organizations to identify and prioritize restoration projects. The bill supports the use of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts with local partners to get critical work started quickly and effectively using regional expertise.
“Even with the ongoing federal shutdown, Teller County continues to work with our federal partners in a positive, bipartisan manner wherever we can,” said Commissioner Dan Williams. “This letter is a great example of bipartisan cooperation that still moves important work forward, even in difficult times.”