Full Title: From Wildfire to Wealth: Growing Resilient Forest Economies in Colorado’s Wildfire-Prone Communities
Author(s): Tracy Huynh, Aurimas Bukauskas, and Victor Olgyay
Publisher(s): Rocky Mountain Institute
Publication Date: November 27, 2024
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Colorado is facing more frequent wildfires, a shortage of affordable housing, and limited high-quality job opportunities in rural areas. Businesses that process small-diameter trees (9 inches or less) from wildfire mitigation efforts into mass timber, a class of high performance wood building products, could help tackle these issues while also reducing carbon emissions from the construction sector, which is the state’s third-largest source of pollution.
Challenges to developing a mass timber industry in Colorado include supply uncertainties from federally managed forests and a limited logging and milling infrastructure. However, growing demand for sustainable building materials and updated building codes present significant opportunities for businesses and communities if these obstacles can be addressed.
The study recommends a phased strategy for wood product businesses:
– Rightsize Now (2–3 years): Increase log supply to existing mills and launch small-scale operations producing nail-laminated timber, dowel-laminated timber, and cross-laminated timber. This approach can quickly boost wood product output, strengthen local businesses, and prepare for future growth.
– Plan for Scale (5–10 years): As timber supply expands, scale up to high-volume production of cross-laminated timber, glue-laminated timber, wood fiber insulation, and other advanced products using automated techniques, unlocking new business opportunities and adding value to forest residues.