Parks: Firewise Landscaping

Sparing parks and open spaces from the worst of the damage caused by wildfiresBy Cassie OlgrenMonument, Colo., is a small, historic town sitting in the shadow of the eastern-most edge of the Rocky Mountains. Locals refer to this area as the Front Range. Living along the Front Range affords residents spectacular views and sunsets, proximity to countless outdoor amenities, and an easy commute between Colorado’s two largest cities, Denver and Colorado Springs. This area can be quite appealing to a jaded urban-dweller, and thus has seen an explosion of growth in the last decade. But there is a reality that many new residents are not prepared for—wildfire. A large percentage of the residents of the Front Range live in a zone called the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). These towns and residences are situated among forested and natural areas.