As metropolitan areas like Denver grow into forested areas prone to devastating wildfires, two Republican lawmakers representing the region are advancing more legislation to bolster local firefighting efforts.

Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, and Rep. Rob Witwer, R-Genesee, announced plans today to launch a legislative inquiry into ways to improve wildfire mitigation throughout the state--with added input from community members most affected by the fires.

Kopp and Witwer are introducing a Senate Joint Resolution this week to create an interim committee investigating wildfire issues in areas where urban and wildlands collide.

"This is an issue we care deeply about, and we intend to give these communities all the tools we can to fight these devastating fires," Kopp said. "For me, it's a commitment that goes back to my own days as a firefighter, and I want to ensure the people of the Front Range that we are here to help."