Cordillera Community

09/03/2026

The September CORDILLERA CONNECTION is here! Enjoy this beautiful time of the year, and explore community updates, happenings, and news here: https://conta.cc/4hZ9cU2 | Topics include:
• CMD Special Election: Wildfire Mitigation - November 3, 2026
• Admin Office closures on Labor Day - Monday, September 7
• The Chipper Returns: Stack Piles by Sunday, September 14
• Gate Transponder Upgrade: Time is Running Out
• Cordillera Hunting Season Regulations
• Bears Active in Cordillera
• Political & Election Signage in Cordillera
• Cordillera Fishing Update
• Dial Back Watering & Plan for the Future: Message from Eagle River Water & Sanitation District
• 2026 Horse Camp Highlights
• Go & Do: Around the Valley this Fall

08/19/2026

Happy WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY! We're sharing a few of our favorite Cordillera photos showcasing this beautiful time of the year.

08/03/2026

Happy August, Cordillera! Get updates on community happenings in the latest Cordillera Connection here: https://conta.cc/4yWTEGc | Topics include:
• Dryad Networks Fire Detection System Installation Underway
• Wildfire Mitigation Update
• CMD Regular Board Meeting Notice
• Gate Transponder Upgrade in Progress
• Wildlife Focus: Fawn Facts
• Community Water Conservation Update from Eagle River Water & Sanitation District
• The Chipper Returns in September
• Let's Horse Around, Cordillera!
• Go & Do: Around the Valley in August

07/21/2026

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS resources for homeowners are now available on our community's website at www.CordilleraLiving.com/Wildfire-Preparedness. Check out the Fire Safety Resources section for a curated list of helpful resources including the following:
• How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfire
• How to Pack an Evacuation Go-Bag
• Eagle County Mitigation and Wildfire Resources
Emergency Communications Outlets
• ECAlert: Eagle County’s emergency alerting system
• ECEmergency.org: In-progress emergencies, evacuations, and fire restrictions
• Genasys Protect: Digital map and mobile app for real-time, location-based alerts

The CordilleraLiving.com Wildfire Preparedness page also includes information about open space wildfire mitigation and residential wildfire mitigation in Cordillera. Check it out!

07/10/2026

The recent power outage brought up many good questions about emergency preparedness for our communities, and Eagle County PIO shares this thoughtful response:

Following the extended power outage, a Wildridge resident raised critical questions about a worst-case scenario - a power outage, failed cellular infrastructure, and an active wildfire during peak season.

Addressing these challenges requires a candid conversation about the limits of infrastructure and the shared responsibility between local government and residents.

Here is how our community handles these gaps, and what is required of residents to stay safe.

📵 Alternative Communication Approaches
During an extended power outage, if an additional crisis emerges such as a wildland fire, and standard communication tools such as cell service and reverse 911 are not available, Eagle County agencies will pivot to analog, boots-on-the-ground protocols that may include:
Physical Direction and Staging: First reponders may be deployed physically to key intersections to direct traffic safely away from the danger zone.
Alternative Notifications: In the absence of cell service, responders utilize "Hi-Lo" sirens - a specific tone reserved strictly for evacuations - alongside PA systems and door-to-door notifications where time permits.
Inter-Agency Coordination: Our local agencies train and exercise together specifically so that when a multi-system failure occurs, communication between field responders is still available via dedicated radio networks.
The Town of Avon conducts exercises and siren drills to maintain preparedness.

🌄 Reality of Mountain Living
While our emergency teams are highly trained and ready to deploy, we must be direct about the environment we live in. Choosing to live in a beautiful, rural mountain valley like Eagle County, particularly in elevated communities with limited egress, comes with inherent risks.
It is also important to note that power grids and cellular networks are operated by utility companies, not the local government. Extended power outages can drain cellular backup batteries, creating communication blackouts that the county cannot instantly fix. In a fast-moving crisis, you cannot rely solely on a text message or a phone call to tell you it is time to move.

🏠 Enhancing Your Personal Resilience
Because public safety personnel cannot be at every doorstep simultaneously, personal readiness is your first and best line of defense. We urge all residents to take immediate steps to mitigate their risk:
Defensible Space: You can significantly increase your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire by mitigating the vegetation and combustibles around it. Eagle County offers free wildfire property assessments (RealFire.net) to help you identify exactly what needs to be done on your land, and funds may be available to assist with the mitigation efforts.
Redundant Communications: If maintaining constant connectivity is critical for your household, consider investing in a satellite-based communication option which operates independently of local cell towers.
Power Backups: If you rely on life-sustaining medical devices, do not wait for a crisis to figure out a backup plan. Consider purchasing a generator.
The 3-Day Rule: Every household should maintain an emergency kit with enough food, water, medications, and essential supplies to sustain themselves for at least three days without external assistance.

🤝 Emergency management is a partnership. Our teams are fully dedicated to keeping this valley safe and doing everything humanly possible in a crisis, but true community resilience depends on residents being prepared, informed, and ready to act on their own instincts when conditions look dangerous. Sign up for EC Alert or download the ReachWell app to stay informed. For more information and resources visit ecemergency.org and follow Eagle County PIO on Facebook.

07/06/2026

The JULY CORDILLERA CONNECTION is here! In this month's newsletter from the Cordillera Metro District, get details about current fire restrictions, community happenings, and events to explore around the valley: https://conta.cc/44rCNxz

06/24/2026

STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS will be in effect beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday morning, June 26: Get the details about what each stage means at www.ECEmergency.org & check out this post from Eagle County Sheriff's Office:

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Implemented In Eagle County

Eagle County, Colo. -Due to the less favorable weather conditions and lack of moisture throughout Eagle County, all of Eagle County will be implementing “Stage 2” fire restrictions that will take effect on Friday morning, June 26, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.

The Eagle County Sheriff has consulted with local fire chiefs, state and federal partners, and other experts regarding fire danger and has decided to implement restrictions. These decisions are based on specific moisture measurements in vegetation and other risk factors such as predicted weather, available resources, and amount of current fire activity.

The restrictions that will be implemented and remain in place until further notice are;

-No open flame, including but not limited to portable outdoor fireplaces, campfires, wood or charcoal grills. Liquid or gas-fueled stoves with shut-off valves may be utilized.
-No smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or in a barren area free of vegetation
-No use of explosive materials, including explosive targets or incendiary rounds.
-No welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame, or any other spark-producing device, without a permit. A ‘HOTWORK’ permit can be issued through your local fire department with a site inspection.
-No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark-arresting device properly installed and in working order.
-No personal fireworks
-No agricultural burning, unless a valid permit has been duly issued by the appropriate fire authorities.

We want to remind our community, as well as visitors to the area, that you are our first line of defense in preventing wildland fires. With the start of summer, we understand the excitement—but with heightened fire danger, it’s more important than ever to recreate safely. Thank you, everyone, for doing your part to keep Eagle County safe and beautiful.

More in-depth information regarding the fire restrictions in Eagle County can be located at: www.ecemergency.org

For fire information across the state of Colorado, visit: http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html
BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/upper-colorado-river-district

White River National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver

Restricciones de Fuego Fase 2 Implementadas en el Condado de Eagle
Condado de Eagle, Colo. - Debido a las condiciones climáticas adversas y la falta de humedad en todo el Condado de Eagle, se implementarán Restricciones de Fuego Fase 2 en todo el condado, las cuales entrarán en vigor el Viernes 26 de junio de 2026 a las 12:01 a. m.

El Sheriff del Condado de Eagle ha consultado con los jefes de bomberos locales, socios estatales y federales, y otros expertos sobre el peligro de incendios y ha decidido implementar estas restricciones. Estas decisiones se basan en mediciones específicas de humedad en la vegetación y otros factores de riesgo, como el pronóstico del tiempo, los recursos disponibles y la cantidad de incendios activos.

Las restricciones que se implementarán y permanecerán vigentes hasta nuevo aviso son:

- Prohibido el uso de llamas abiertas, incluyendo, entre otros, chimeneas portátiles al aire libre, fogatas, parrillas de leña o carbón. Se pueden utilizar estufas de gas o combustible líquido con válvulas de cierre.
- No se permite fumar, excepto dentro de un vehículo o edificio cerrado, un área recreativa desarrollada o en un área árida libre de vegetación.
- Prohibido el uso de materiales explosivos, incluyendo balas trazadoras o blancos incendiarios.
- No se permite soldar ni operar sopletes de acetileno u otros similares con llama abierta, ni ningún otro dispositivo que produzca chispas, sin un permiso. El departamento de bomberos local puede emitir un permiso para trabajos calientes “HOTWORK” con una inspección del lugar.
- No se permite operar ningún motor de combustión interna sin un dispositivo parachispas correctamente instalado y en buen estado de funcionamiento.
- No se permite el uso de fuegos artificiales personales.
- No se permite la quema agrícola, a menos que las autoridades de bomberos correspondientes hayan emitido un permiso válido.

Queremos recordar a nuestra comunidad, así como a los visitantes de la zona, que ustedes son nuestra primera línea de defensa para prevenir incendios forestales. Con la llegada del verano, entendemos la emoción, pero con el mayor riesgo de incendios, es más importante que nunca disfrutar de actividades recreativas de forma segura. Gracias a todos por contribuir a mantener el condado de Eagle seguro y hermoso.

Para obtener información más detallada sobre las restricciones de incendios en el condado de Eagle, visite: www.ecemergency.org

Para obtener información sobre incendios en todo el estado de Colorado, visite: http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html

Sitio web de la Oficina de Administración de Tierras (BLM): https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/upper-colorado-river-district

Bosque Nacional White River: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver

06/11/2026

Find out what Cordillera Metro District is doing this summer to conserve water. As Eagle River Water & Sanitation District says: "Making changes is not easy, but doing so is so important for the health of our rivers, streams, and water supply." Thank you, ERWSD, for your leadership and creativity!

06/10/2026

June Wildfire Mitigation Update: The CMD Comm Ops team is continuing to use our masticator and flail mower to expand and maintain fuel breaks around Cordillera, and we're using the new remote controlled robotic mower to power through rough, steep terrain. So far this season, CMD crews have mowed 45 acres of previously created fuel breaks, and we're also out using the brush mower to reduce vegetation along Cordillera's more heavily traveled roads.

We invite all homeowners to participate in the June 12 CMD Board Meeting, to be held via Zoom video conference and at the CMD Admin Office at 9:00 AM. Wildfire mitigation progress and future plans will again be discussed as we respond to this summer's drought conditions and high wildfire potential. Public notification of the meeting was sent out to all homeowners yesterday.

06/10/2026

STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT: Get the details about what each stage means at www.ECEmergency.org & check out this post from Eagle River Fire Protection District.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Implemented In Eagle County

Eagle County, Colo. -Due to the less favorable weather conditions and lack of moisture throughout Eagle County, all of Eagle County will be implementing “Stage 1” fire restrictions that will take effect on Wednesday morning, June 10, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

The Eagle County Sheriff has consulted with local fire chiefs, state and federal partners, and other experts regarding fire danger and has decided to implement restrictions. These decisions are based on specific moisture measurements in vegetation and other risk factors such as predicted weather, available resources and amount of current fire activity.

The restrictions that will be implemented and remain in place until further notice are;

-Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (i.e., a metal, in-ground containment structure -- fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable). Liquid or gas-fueled stoves and outdoor fireplaces with shut-off valves may be utilized in areas with at least 15’ of clearance to combustibles.
-No fires of any type, including charcoal, outside of developed areas.
-No smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or in a barren area free of vegetation.
-No use of explosive materials, including explosive targets.
-No welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame, or any other spark-producing device, except from an area that has been cleared of vegetation and with a fire suppression device.
-No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark-arresting device properly installed and in working order.
-No personal fireworks.
-Outdoor recreational shooting is permitted only in pre-approved, designated areas.

We want to remind our community, as well as visitors to the area, that you are our first line of defense in preventing wildland fires. With the start of summer, we understand the excitement—but with heightened fire danger, it’s more important than ever to recreate safely. Thank you everyone for doing your part to keep Eagle County safe and beautiful.

More in depth information regarding the fire restrictions in Eagle County can be located at: www.ecemergency.org

For fire information across the state of Colorado, visit: http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html
BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/upper-colorado-river-district

White River National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver

Restricciones de fuego Fase 1 implementadas en el condado de Eagle
Eagle County, Colo. -Debido a las condiciones climáticas menos favorables y la falta de humedad en todo el condado de Eagle, se implementarán restricciones de fuego de “Etapa 1” en todo el condado, que entrarán en vigor el Miércoles 10 de Junio 2026 a las 12:01 a. m.

El Alguacil del Condado de Eagle ha consultado con los jefes de bomberos locales, socios estatales y federales, y otros expertos sobre el peligro de incendios y ha decidido implementar restricciones. Estas decisiones se basan en medidas específicas de humedad en la vegetación y otros factores de riesgo, como el clima previsto, los recursos disponibles y la cantidad de actividad de incendios actual.
Las restricciones que se implementarán y permanecerán vigentes hasta nuevo aviso son las siguientes:

-Las fogatas solo están permitidas dentro de las parrillas designadas en los campamentos desarrollados (es decir, una estructura metálica empotrada en el suelo; no se aceptan bandejas para fuego ni anillos de roca para fogatas).
-Se pueden utilizar estufas de líquido o gas y chimeneas exteriores con válvulas de cierre en áreas con al menos 15 pies de distancia de materiales combustibles.
-No se permite ningún tipo de fuego, incluido el carbón, fuera de las zonas desarrolladas.
-No se permite fumar, excepto dentro de un vehículo o edificio cerrado, en un lugar de recreo desarrollado o en una zona árida sin vegetación.
-No se permite el uso de materiales explosivos, incluyendo balas trazadoras o blancos incendiarios
-No se permite soldar ni utilizar sopletes de acetileno u otros similares con llama abierta, ni ningún otro dispositivo que produzca chispas, excepto en zonas despejadas de vegetación.
-No se permite utilizar motores de combustión interna sin un dispositivo antichispas correctamente instalado y en buen estado de funcionamiento.
-No se permiten fuegos artificiales personales.
-Los tiros recreativos al aire libre están permitidos únicamente en áreas designadas y aprobadas previamente.

Queremos recordarles a nuestra comunidad, así como a los visitantes de la zona, que ustedes son nuestra primera línea de defensa para prevenir incendios forestales. Entendemos la emoción que sienten con la llegada del verano, pero con el mayor riesgo de incendios, es más importante que nunca disfrutar de actividades recreativas de forma segura. Gracias a todos por su contribución para mantener el condado de Eagle seguro y hermoso.

Para obtener información más detallada sobre las restricciones contra incendios en el condado de Eagle, visite:www.ecemergency.org
Para obtener información sobre incendios en todo el estado de Colorado, visite: http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html
Sitio web de BLM: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/upper-colorado-river-district
Bosque Nacional White River: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver