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“Coloradans are demonstrating a tremendous willingness to help those impacted by the wildfires,” Hickenlooper said. “We will be forever grateful to the individual donors, businesses and others who are giving their time and money to help others recover and rebuild.”

The Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012 is administered by the Denver Foundation and chaired by David Miller. A board composed of CEOs at community foundations in the areas most affected by the fires this year will determine how funds will be awarded.

“We are committed to making sure this fund is advised by local communities and that the money gets to those who need it most and where other resources are not available,” Miller said.

The fund was created on June 28 and is actively connecting with local communities to identify needs, to determine a process to receive proposals and to distribute funds. “We are learning a lot from the people who handled donated funds for victims of the San Diego fires in 2003 and 2007,” said Jamie Van Leeuwen, senior advisor to Hickenlooper. “We are committed to defining a process that is both transparent and accountable.”

The grant process is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Colorado has seen more than a dozen wildfires in 2012, including the two most destructive in state history.

The Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012, which is designed to handle gifts of $1,000 or more, is partnering with El Pomar Foundation and other funding partners to ensure that award distribution between different wildfire support funds is coordinated. More information about how to donate directly to an organization or how to help can be found by clicking here. 

For more information about the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012, call (303) 866-3700.