Lafayette Neighborhood Earns 'Firewise' Designation

Trails at Coal Creek is the first community in Lafayette to receive the national fire safety recognition.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Trails at Coal Creek neighborhood in Lafayette, Colorado has become the first in the city to earn a Firewise USA designation, a national program that recognizes communities taking proactive measures to mitigate wildfire risk. Led by resident David Magid, the neighborhood worked with the Boulder County Wildfire Partners program to implement fire-resistant home improvements and landscaping, such as replacing wooden fences with non-combustible materials and removing flammable vegetation around homes.

Why it matters

The Firewise designation for Trails at Coal Creek comes after the devastating Marshall Fire in 2021, which showed that suburban communities in Colorado are also at risk of wildfires. By taking these steps, the neighborhood is reducing its vulnerability and potentially saving on homeowner's insurance costs, as new state laws require insurers to consider mitigation efforts when assessing risk.

The details

To earn the Firewise USA recognition, the Trails at Coal Creek neighborhood focused on 'home hardening' measures like installing ember-resistant vents, replacing flammable mulch with non-combustible ground cover, and removing lower tree branches. They also worked with their homeowners association to replace wooden fences with fire-resistant materials, as fences were found to be a way the Marshall Fire spread between homes.

  • The Trails at Coal Creek neighborhood earned its Firewise USA designation in February 2026.
  • The Marshall Fire, which impacted the Lafayette area, occurred in late 2021.

The players

Trails at Coal Creek

A neighborhood in Lafayette, Colorado that is the first in the city to earn the Firewise USA designation for taking proactive wildfire mitigation measures.

David Magid

A resident of Trails at Coal Creek who spearheaded the neighborhood's efforts to become Firewise certified.

Boulder County Wildfire Partners

A program that worked with the Trails at Coal Creek neighborhood to implement fire-resistant home and landscaping improvements.

Meg Halford

The Community Mitigation Program Lead at Boulder County Wildfire Partners who praised the Trails at Coal Creek neighborhood's wildfire preparedness efforts.

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What they’re saying

“With recent fire weather and events across Boulder County, community-wide approaches to wildfire preparedness is more critical than ever. These neighborhoods are leading by example, showing that small steps by residents can significantly reduce wildfire risks.”

— Meg Halford, Community Mitigation Program Lead, Boulder County Wildfire Partners (9news.com)

“There's a really good feeling that our neighbors are working together toward a common cause. To reduce risk of fire in our neighborhood, to limit the risk of damage from fire... that's, I think, a huge positive.”

— David Magid, Trails at Coal Creek resident (9news.com)

What’s next

The Trails at Coal Creek neighborhood plans to continue working with the Boulder County Wildfire Partners program to maintain its Firewise USA certification and explore additional ways to further reduce wildfire risk.

The takeaway

The Firewise designation for Trails at Coal Creek demonstrates how suburban communities can take proactive steps to protect their homes and neighborhoods from the growing threat of wildfires, even in areas not traditionally considered high-risk. This collaborative effort sets an example for other Colorado communities seeking to improve their wildfire resilience.