Our founders: 

Don and Toni Moore, residents of Indian Creek Subdivision and active participants in the Colorado Forest-Ag Management Program since 2005, have been instrumental in fostering wildfire mitigation efforts in their community. In October 2019, they initiated the NoFloCo (North Florissant, Colorado) Fire Mitigation Posse, a volunteer-based organization focused on enhancing forest health and protecting private property from wildfire risks. Their property serves as a practical example of effective mitigation techniques, inspiring visitors to inquire about their methods.

The Moores recognized the community's interest in hands-on learning, leading to the formation of the NoFloCo Fire Mitigation Posse. The organization emphasizes the simplicity and satisfaction of fire mitigation work, highlighting the camaraderie and addictiveness of working in the forest. The group's success is evident in the increasing number of volunteers and regular mitigation events, where approximately four acres of heavily forested land are treated, and over two cords of firewood are harvested and distributed free of charge to neighbors during each workday.

The NoFloCo Fire Mitigation Posse has garnered recognition from various entities, including CORE Electric Association, state representatives, and Governor Jared Polis. The Moores' extensive experience in removing standing dead trees, identifying diseased trees, eliminating ladder fuel (dead lower branches and other debris in the understory), and burning slash piles has led to the development of labor-saving and forest-preserving techniques. These methods include strategic burning in snowy conditions and the creation of hiking trails, which not only provide access for fire trucks during wildfires but also serve as designated areas for slash burning and help create defensible spaces.

NoFloCo was established following the completion of extensive wildfire mitigation efforts on a 40-acre property in Florissant, CO. For two decades, its founders dedicated their personal time to forest floor maintenance, including the removal of ladder fuels, diseased trees, and crowded stands, transforming the property into a fire-resilient landscape.

With the initial property's mitigation complete, the focus shifted to supporting nearby communities. This led to the formation of NoFloCo, originally known as the North Florissant Fire Mitigation Posse, targeting the Indian Creek area. As awareness and need grew, communities like Spring Valley, CME, Aspen Moors, and Trout Haven also sought NoFloCo's assistance, despite the distances involved.

NoFloCo volunteers increased significantly through organized workdays, attracting over 800 participants to date. Many demonstrate a strong commitment, investing personal resources (time, finances for equipment and supplies) to the cause. The organization's current priority is to completely mitigate and harden a Teller County neighborhood against wildfires. While Indian Creek, the largest land mass neighborhood in Colorado, was an initial consideration, its scale necessitates a longer-term effort. Currently, NoFloCo is actively collaborating with Forest Glen, a 70-acre subdivision with 60 parcels and highly motivated residents, to achieve this milestone.

NoFloCo's endeavors have not been without challenges. The organization has received both criticism and support from professionals in the fire response, tree service, and regulatory sectors. Recognizing the lack of established mentorship in their unique approach, NoFloCo actively embraced criticism as an opportunity for improvement. Initial feedback regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) led to the implementation of appropriate safety gear for workers. In response to concerns about inadequate training, NoFloCo facilitated the participation of 42 individuals in Wildland Firefighter (FF2) training at the Colorado Fire Camp and 14 individuals in S212 (Saws Certification) training. Upon the Department of Natural Resources' recommendation for Colorado Certified Burner Training, 17 members immediately completed the class with the support of Teller OEM Jay Teague, all achieving perfect scores. NoFloCo also invested in training for Wildland Fire Triage and Assessing Structure Ignition Potential Certification.

This commitment to continuous improvement has yielded significant recognition for NoFloCo. In 2025, they were nationally recognized as WUI Award winners and invited as featured speakers at two international wildland fire conferences. They are also finalists in the International Fire Grand Challenge, recipients of two competitive state COSWAP grants, and have garnered broad media coverage and local appreciation.

Despite resistance from some officials, including local county commissioners and a fire marshal (sheriff) who raised concerns about registration and insurance, NoFloCo has addressed these issues. Although no explicit requirements for registration and insurance existed, and the Colorado State Certified Burner designation offered a degree of coverage, NoFloCo secured a million-dollar insurance bond through a benefactor. They are also covered under both the Federal and State Volunteer Protection Acts. The organization has always existed under a registered not-for-profit, but created its own 501(c)(3) in December 2024.

NoFloCo maintains a commitment to ongoing learning and best practices. They consult recommendations from leading authorities such as the International Cohesive Strategy, US Forest Service, National Fire Protection Association, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), and Colorado State Forest Service, along with other forest health professionals. They prioritize implementing effective strategies, sharing valuable information, and crediting the expertise of others.

NoFloCo actively engages with the Teller County CMAT Wildfire Council, seeing it as an opportunity for collaboration. They extend invitations to commissioners, the sheriff, and other attendees to participate in NoFloCo workdays, providing a practical, hands-on experience in fire mitigation.

The transformative nature of NoFloCo workdays is largely attributed to the dedication of its volunteers. The collaborative spirit, knowledge sharing, opportunities for exercise, fresh air, and time spent in the forest contribute to a positive and impactful experience. The organization deeply respects and admires the expertise and commitment of Teller County residents who dedicate their time to this cause. The founders, possessing extensive knowledge of Teller County's forest ecosystems, including local tree diseases and forest health practices, have also implemented innovative techniques to enhance mitigation efficiency. One such innovation, lauded by fire professionals, involves identifying optimal firebreak lines before tree felling and strategically piling slash along these lines. The creation of long, low piles reduces the intensity of pile burns, minimizing scarring on homeowners' properties. This method also facilitates easy burn control and creates a natural firebreak, along with a brush truck trail for firefighter access in the event of a wildland fire. Forest professionals have expressed significant positive feedback on these outcomes.

NoFloCo continues to serve the community and welcomes new volunteers. For more information or to join the group, please email Don Moore at DonMoore@NoFloCo.org.