Altitude Realtors Launches Free Resilient Ground Webinars for Drought Prep

Altitude Realtors is launching the “Resilient Ground” webinar series to help homeowners navigate the dual threats of record-low snowpack and severe drought this summer. The initiative kicks off with two free virtual sessions this month, starting Tuesday, May 26, at 10 a.m., and continuing Thursday, May 28, at noon.

The question is whether this timing is early enough to make a difference for folks who still have time to prep before the peak fire season hits. The answer, according to the organizers, is yes. They launched the series in spring specifically because the state is facing its worst snowpack on record.

“The state faces its worst snowpack on record and severe drought conditions,” the group notes. It’s a stark backdrop for a real estate company to be leading the charge on climate resilience, but it makes sense when you look at what’s at stake. Property values, insurance premiums, and basic livability are all tied to how well a home survives a dry year.

The first session focuses on the money side of things: energy and insurance. Carly Davidson, a public relations specialist from the Yampa Valley Electric Association, and Blair McGary, Xcel Energy’s community relations representative for the Colorado High Country, will lead the discussion.

This isn’t just about turning off the lights. It’s about understanding how drought impacts your specific utility bills and what insurers are charging you to keep the place standing. McGary and Davidson are bringing the perspective of the people who actually manage the power grid and the rates in the High Country. If you’re in the valley, that’s your local context.

The second webinar shifts to survival. Emergency managers from Summit, Park, and Routt counties will cover wildfire preparedness. They’re going to talk evacuation tips, go-bag essentials, and how to safely manage your animals.

That last part is key. A lot of folks in the Western Slope have livestock or large pets. Evacuating a dog is easy. Evacuating a herd of cattle or a stable of horses is a logistical nightmare if you haven’t planned it out. The emergency managers aren’t just talking about running out the door; they’re talking about planning for the animals that depend on you.

In an earlier webinar, Colorado water managers stressed water conservation. They also touched on what homeowners can do if their well runs dry. This is the practical question neighbors are asking: if the aquifer drops, does my water disappear? How do water rights work in a drought year? The realtors are building on that foundation.

The series is free and open to the public. You can sign up at AltitudeRealtors.com/resilient-ground. It’s a simple move from a realty group, but it highlights a shift in how we view property ownership. It’s no longer just about the square footage and the view. It’s about resilience.

As the snowpack data continues to trickle in, the need for this kind of information only grows. The webinars offer a way to get that info without having to dig through county reports yourself.

“The series will include a talk on energy and insurance... and a discussion on emergency preparedness,” the group’s website states. It’s straightforward. It’s free. And it’s happening now.