Don and Toni Moore of Indian Creek Subdivision started the grassroots, all volunteer, fire mitigation organization October of 2019 with the help of Indian Creek Property Owners Association.

As part of the Colorado Forest-Ag Management Program, they have been fire mitigating their property since 2005. "Folks who visit us know something is different about our property, but they cannot always put their finger on what," said Don Moore. "When we point out that all the ladder fuel (dead lower branches and other debris in the understory) has been removed, the questions start. People want to know why we have done it, and how we did it."

Realizing there was a desire for hands-on learning about fire mitigation to improve and protect private property and enhance forest health, Moore put together what he now calls NoFloCo (North Florissant, Colorado) Fire Mitigation Posse. "Our volunteers learn pretty quickly that it is not complicated, and can be very satisfying and fun. We grow with each event; time in the forest working with others is addictive," said Moore.

The NoFloCo Fire Mitigation Posse has been a quick and overwhelming success. They see new faces and more volunteers at each event. Approximately four acres of heavily forested property is mitigated and more than 2 cords of firewood is harvested and delivered to neighbors for free at each workday. Not only has the group gained momentum in their efforts, but CORE Electric Association, state representatives, and Gov. Jared Polis have recognized and praised the work of the group.

With years of experience removing standing dead trees, identifying diseased trees, eliminating ladder fuel, and burning slash piles, the Moores have devised many labor saving, forest preserving short cuts. "Burning in snowy conditions and making hiking trails through the property are a smart way to go," he says. "Trails create access for firefighter brush trucks should a wildfire come through, and delineate spots for slash burning. Burning sterilizes the ground under the burn, and nothing will grow in the burned area for a long time. We have learned that burning on a trail preserves the natural beauty of the forest, makes for less work carrying limbs and debris, and improves access to all parts of the property. Burning slash after a snow event means the fire will be easy to control," added Moore.

The Moores have innovated and created systems to make private property more lovely and more safe. Their innovative approach varies from some of the "landscape scale" practices of the Forestry Department, to appeal to private property owners, while still improving Wildland Urban Interface and keeping homes, neighborhoods, and infrastructure safer.

Now with the help of many valuable volunteers, NoFloCo has become a force for good in the neighborhoods of Teller County. Community spirit, friendships, positive self esteem, safer homes, neighborhoods, and fire departments are just a few of the important benefits NoFloCo brings to Teller.