Mountain homes in Colorado can be prone to wild fires without a doubt. People choose to take on 'the extra work of mountain living' usually because the views are so open and expansive, not too mention the 'wilderness' aspect. Through a well-designed landscape, it is possible to create 'defensive space' in the event of a wild fire. Materials like rock mulch, pea gravel, and natural redstone pavers make the best choice for fire retardant surfaces closest to the home. The next Firewise-zone past the first 5 foot perimeter, can be planted as a 'green root zone' with plants that are naturally fire resistant, and hold high amounts of moisture in their leaves.