Golden Meadows was rated "HIGH" for fire danger by the Conifer Fire Department in the Community Wildfire Protection Implementation Plan (CWPIP). Homeowners are strongly encouraged to mitigate their properties. The following quote came from that plan:

“Effective wildfire mitigation reduces the potential for loss in the event of a catastrophic wildfire. This is accomplished through strategic management of wildland fuels, implementation of defensible space around individual homes and non-fuels mitigation measures such as emergency preparedness, ingress/egress improvements, and community awareness. Results are most effective when these approaches are pursued jointly by governmental entities, citizen groups, and individual homeowners.”

In this area of the website you will find information and resources that may be helpful. Click here for the full CWPIP.

Homeowners Insurance

With a dry winter and the increased risk of wildfire this year, it is possible that insurance companies may be looking more closely at the policies they've issued in high-risk areas like ours. As some neighbors have already experienced, insurers may decide not to renew policies in the foothills. If you have recently mitigated your property and your insurance company drops your coverage, your wildfire risk score may not be up to date. A bill passed in Colorado last year, HR25-1182, taking effect July 1, 2026 ensures the right of policy holders to appeal the decision and ask your insurance company to reconsider.

Prioritize Thinning Along the Roads

Dry conditions and insurance trends make mitigation even more critical. Per the recent Community Wildfire Protection Implementation Plan (CWPIP), local fire officials prioritize thinning trees and removing slash along the roads in our area. This will allow us all to safely evacuate and firefighters to reach our community to help.

Many neighbors have mitigated along the road of their property but there are still some overgrown areas. In 2025, GMHOA board member Grant Stailey drove through Golden Meadows with our local fire chief to identify sections that create a hazard for evacuation during a fire and contacted homeowners with properties the chief noted needed mitigation. Let’s all please look at our roadsides, remove thick vegetation, and cut back trees hanging over the road. In the event of a fire, this work may save lives.

Rolloff Dumpster and Chipper

In 2026, The Golden Meadows Homeowners Association will again rent a roll-off dumpster. This year we are also adding a chipper so we can safely pack as much slash as possible into that dumpster. Here are the details:

• Saturday, August 8, 2026 – roll-off dumpster and chipper will be available in front of 8272 Surrey Drive.
• We will accept limbs, branches, and woody debris up to 6” in diameter. Pine needles are not accepted. They consume a lot of space would be better in the trash bins.
• Participating homeowners must let us know in advance. We may need to schedule time windows for drop off to avoid congestion at the chipper.
• Homeowners who would like help getting their slash to the dumpster will need to let us know that, too. We will be recruiting volunteers with ATVs and trailers for that purpose.
• We ask that able-bodied homeowners save the date and be available to help load and unload the trailers with the slash they have collected from their properties.
• The equipment rental is paid for by the Golden Meadows Homeowners Association. To use the dumpster and chipper for slash from your property, you must have paid your 2026 annual GMHOA dues of $45.00. Thank you. Here’s how to do that:

1. Mail a check, payable to Golden Meadows Homeowners Association, to our treasurer Grant Stailey at 8264 Wagon Wheel Road, Morrison, CO 80465.
2. Make a payment via the Zelle app to: gmeadowshoa@gmail.com.

Other Resources

There is far more slash in Golden Meadows than will fit into one dumpster every summer, so as you collect slash from your property, consider getting some of it out one of these ways:

• Trash companies accept pine needles and small yard waste in their weekly pick up and we encourage neighbors to use them for that. The two below are most common in Golden Meadows.

1. Mountain View Waste: 303-838-0560; "weekly pick up consists of one 95-gallon cart and four (4) bags less than 30 pounds."
2. Shirley Septic Waste: 303-838-6033; "no extras outside of the totes will be taken, unless pre-approved by calling the office first. Or you may get an extra tote. Extra Totes are $8.00/month per tote."

• Jefferson County slash drop off locations, dates, and prices can be found here: https://www.jeffco.us/2493/Slash-Collection
• Enviroworks is a very close slash yard located at 9054 US Highway 285, Morrison, CO 80465.
• Hire a professional company to mitigate and take the slash with them to dispose of offsite. Here are two that neighbors have used:

1. Splintered Forest 303-819-9840

2. Natural Tree Care Services 303-803-9840