From left: Wildfire Partner's Abby Silver, Councilmember Josh Cooperman, Resident Ann Brennan, Resident Lisa Hughes, Councilmember Judi Kern, Chief John Willson 

LOUISVILLE, Colo. — Louisville’s Cornerstone neighborhood celebrated a significant milestone on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the community’s official Firewise USA® designation. 

This achievement recognizes Cornerstone’s commitment to wildfire prevention and safety, showcasing the efforts of residents to reduce the risks associated with wildfire. The event, attended by community members, fire safety experts, and city leaders, highlighted the neighborhood’s proactive approach to protecting homes and families as well as its dedication to building a more resilient environment in the face of potential wildfire threats. 

Residents Lisa Hughes, Ann Brennan, and Beth Widner led Cornerstone’s effort to apply for the Firewise USA® designation. They started with Boulder County's Wildfire Partners program, which is designed for a community of contiguous homes and requires an assessment of the neighborhood's current fire resilience.  

Wildfire Partners is proud to have collaborated with Cornerstone through the Community Mitigation Planning program, providing technical advice and support as they worked through the steps necessary to become a Firewise USA® community. “As Boulder County’s wildfire mitigation program, our mission is to support Boulder County residents in preparing for future wildfires,” said Outreach Coordinator Abby Silver. “We are proud to have helped Cornerstone’s wildfire resiliency team achieve this landmark designation which includes annual educational and resiliency-building activities.” Community Mitigation services are available to homeowners' associations and neighborhood groups throughout Boulder County.  

Fire Chief John Willson praised the collective efforts of the community in earning the Firewise USA® designation. “What a great accomplishment by a hard-working dedicated group to bring resilience to their neighborhood,” Chief Willson said. “They’ve set a great example for the rest of the City of Louisville, and I am hoping other neighborhoods will apply and get recognized, too.” 

The City of Louisville staff and City Council would like to extend their heartfelt congratulations to the Cornerstone neighborhood for their outstanding achievement. “We are thrilled to see such an engaged, proactive community dedicated to building resilience and ensuring the safety of their homes and families. This accomplishment not only sets a powerful example for other neighborhoods but also strengthens our collective efforts in creating a safer, more resilient City for all,” mentioned Recovery & Resilience Manager, Kiana Freeman.