From Wildfire to Wealth

Colorado faces increasing wildfires and rural economic challenges. The document argues that establishing a mass timber industry using small-diameter trees (9 inches or less) can mitigate fire risk, provide high-quality rural jobs, and reduce carbon emissions from the construction sector. Despite challenges like supply uncertainties in federally managed forests and limited infrastructure, the report suggests a two-phase approach: a 2–3 year 'Rightsize Now' phase to increase log supply and launch small-scale operations, followed by a 5–10 year 'Plan for Scale' phase to implement high-volume automated production of advanced wood products.

• Colorado's construction sector is the state's third-largest source of pollution, and the development of a mass timber industry using small-diameter trees (9 inches or less) could reduce these emissions while addressing rural job shortages and affordable housing needs.
• The growth of a mass timber industry in Colorado is hindered by limited logging and milling infrastructure and uncertainties regarding timber supply from federally managed forests, though it is supported by updated building codes and demand for sustainable materials.
• The report recommends a two-stage implementation strategy: a short-term 'Rightsize Now' phase (2–3 years) focusing on increasing log supply and small-scale production of nail-laminated, dowel-laminated, and cross-laminated timber, and a long-term 'Plan for Scale' phase (5–10 years) focusing on high-volume automated production of glue-laminated timber, wood fiber insulation, and other advanced products.

APA

RMI (2024). From Wildfire to Wealth. https://rmi.org/resources/from-wildfire-to-wealth/

Chicago

RMI. From Wildfire to Wealth. 2024. https://rmi.org/resources/from-wildfire-to-wealth/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=From Wildfire to Wealth |date=19 November 2024 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/from-wildfire-to-wealth/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2024from, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{From Wildfire to Wealth}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2024}, month = nov, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/from-wildfire-to-wealth/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }