FireFile℠
Insurance-Grade Documentation
A FireFile℠ is Colorado Safe Lands' comprehensive wildfire risk assessment.
A documented, insurance-grade report that evaluates your property against recognized national standards, scores what we find, and produces the documentation your insurance carrier may request.
It's the right product when your insurance situation gets complicated, when documentation needs to hold up to scrutiny, or when the stakes warrant a comprehensive picture of your property's mitigation status.
Why a FireFile Exists
Colorado's insurance market for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas has tightened dramatically. Non-renewals are up. Premiums have jumped. Carriers are asking for more documentation than ever before.
In 2025, Colorado passed HB25-1182, which requires insurers using wildfire risk models to disclose their scores, consider property-level mitigation, and offer an appeal process. That was a major shift — but "your insurer must consider your mitigation" only works if your mitigation is actually documented in a form the insurer recognizes.
A FireBrief is a working plan. A FireFile is the documentation side of the conversation between homeowner and insurer — produced by a credentialed specialist, backed by peer-reviewed research, structured around standards carriers recognize.
What's In It
A FireFile is a 35-45 page document that includes:
Comprehensive on-site assessment
Two on-site visits — the initial walk-around plus a deeper second visit focused on structural details, vegetation inventory with species identification, and full defensible space evaluation.
Mitigation Score
A composite 0-100 score based on six weighted components, scored against a transparent rubric grounded in peer-reviewed wildfire research.
Property findings by zone and component
Every observation documented with photos and professional analysis.
A 3-year Mitigation Action Plan (MAP)
Specific work in priority tiers (Critical, High, Moderate) with cost estimates and WRWC cost-share eligibility notes.
Statement of Mitigation Status
A signed statement documenting your property's mitigation status, written for use with insurers, agents, and other parties who need credentialed documentation.
Supporting appendices
Regulatory framework, HB25-1182 documentation support, scoring methodology with peer-reviewed citations.
Homeowner summary
A two-page cover letter in plain language for you and your family.
Verifiable Report ID and 18 months of portal access
Insurers can verify authenticity by phone. You can access documentation anytime through your secure client portal.
What Makes It Different
Evidence-based methodology
Scoring is grounded in peer-reviewed post-fire research from California, Colorado, and IBHS field investigations. The weights reflect what the research actually says drives home survival.
Built for insurance use
Explicitly formatted to support HB25-1182 appeals, mitigation credit applications, and policy renewal documentation.
Calibrated for the Gunnison Valley
Most wildfire assessment frameworks were built around California suburban contexts. Gunnison Valley properties vary wildly. Our methodology reflects this variety.
Who It's For
A FireFile is the right product when:
Your insurance situation is complicated
Non-renewal, premium increase, HB25-1182 appeal, or a carrier requesting mitigation documentation.
You're buying or selling property
Pre-purchase or pre-sale FireFile supports the transaction, identifies issues, and sets up insurance for the buyer.
You've completed significant mitigation work
Post-work documentation captures the updated state of your property and gives you something formal to submit to your insurer.
You own a second home
Second-home owners often face stricter underwriting. A FireFile gives second-home owners the same level of documentation a primary-residence owner might build up informally over years.
Pricing
The FireFile℠ is $525 when bought after a FireBrief, $850 when bundled with FireBrief. Pricing scales up for larger or more complex properties.
How It Works
1. On-site assessments
Two scheduled visits — initial walk-around plus a deeper second visit focused on structural details and vegetation inventory.
2. Analysis and drafting
We apply the scoring rubric, draft the full report, and prepare the homeowner summary.
3. Delivery
Final FireFile provided through a personalized, secure portal (PDF and printed copy if desired), uniquely numbered and verifiable. We can walk you through the findings.
4. Ongoing
Documents accessible through your portal for 18 months. Annual re-assessment recommended.
When a FireBrief℠ Might Be Better
If your goal is getting serious about mitigation work with a professional working plan — the FireBrief is the simpler path.
A note on outcomes
A FireFile gives your case the strongest possible footing with your insurer. It doesn't guarantee a specific outcome. Carriers make their own decisions based on their own models. The FireFile is the tool; the outcome depends on your insurer and your situation. If troubles persist, please communicate this and we can discuss a plan.
Ready to Start?
Request a FireFile℠ through the link below or call (970) 251-7500. We typically schedule the initial visit within 1-2 weeks and deliver the final document 7-10 business days after the second visit.
Conducted by Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist-candidate. Aligned with Colorado State Forest Service Home Ignition Zone guidelines, NFPA 1140 standard, Gunnison County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and Colorado HB25-1182.