What Colorado Leaders, Communities, and Residents Are Saying About Federal Approval for Public Assistance for Major Disasters

DENVER — On Friday, September 4, Governor Jared Polis announced that the President and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Public Assistance (PA) funding for Colorado's Major Disaster Declaration (MDD) request, helping communities recover from the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires, and some of the subsequent flooding and debris flows. The approval followed an outpouring of bipartisan support, including a letter signed by all ten members of Colorado's congressional delegation, and 173 letters of support from elected officials, residents, businesses, community organizations, emergency responders, and local government entities from across Colorado. Following Friday's announcement, here is what Colorado leaders and communities are saying:

What Federal Elected Leaders Are Saying

"Following an outpouring of local support for disaster relief, I am glad to see the approval of the State's request for a major disaster declaration and public assistance. This funding will help Ouray, Dolores, Pueblo, and Custer Counties rebuild after wildfires burned more than 140,000 acres in their counties this summer, destroying critical infrastructure, water supplies, and hundreds of homes and structures. The President must now approve the Governor's request for individual assistance and hazard mitigation funding as well as the overdue federal assistance for the Lee and Elk Fires and extreme flooding in Southwest Colorado that occurred last year," said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet.

"We're glad to see the communities impacted by the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires will begin receiving some of the critical federal resources they need and deserve to help get back on their feet," said U.S Senator John Hickenlooper. "We'll continue standing shoulder to shoulder with those impacted by these tragedies and urge the administration to swiftly approve Colorado's remaining requests for Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant funding."

"This approval is an important step toward helping the communities devastated by the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires recover and rebuild. I'm grateful to President Trump and his administration for approving Public Assistance, and to Governor Polis, Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, our congressional delegation, and the local leaders who worked together to make the case for Colorado. This funding will help our communities clear debris, repair damaged infrastructure, and begin rebuilding. But our work is not finished. Families across Western and Southern Colorado lost homes and livelihoods, and I will continue working with the administration to secure Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funding so these rural communities have the help they need to fully recover," said U.S. Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03).

"This disaster declaration is a critical step forward for every family affected by the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires who have been desperately waiting for this moment," said U.S. Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07). "These communities have already endured unimaginable loss and have spent months wondering whether help was coming. Disaster assistance should never depend on politics. It should simply be there when Americans need it most, and now, these communities can finally begin their recovery journey. I'm grateful to every first responder, organization, and neighbor who provided letters of support to ensure our communities were not forgotten."

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What State Elected Leaders Are Saying

"The recovery and repair across Pueblo, Custer and Ouray counties takes more resources than a single community can provide, which is why I am grateful the federal government approved Colorado's Public Assistance request. Federal dollars will help Coloradans clear debris from homes and businesses, which is the first step to rebuilding after any major disaster. I want to recognize Governor Polis and all the local leaders, elected officials, nonprofits, first responders and community members who rallied together to get Colorado the recovery dollars we deserve," said Colorado House of Representatives Speaker Julie McCluskie (HD-13).

"This summer's fires and flooding in Ouray, Pueblo, and Custer counties have left real, lasting damage, and the newly-approved Public Assistance funding from the federal government will offer significant relief and a path forward for those communities. Coloradans take care of each other no matter how many counties away the disaster hits, and the legislature stands behind the Governor's outstanding requests to make sure our neighbors get the federal assistance they need," said Colorado Senate President James Coleman (SD-33).

"President Trump's approval of this Major Disaster Declaration brings essential federal backing to safeguard our rural communities and natural landscapes across Senate District 6. From the San Luis Valley to the rugged western slope, this critical relief ensures our agricultural producers, local watersheds, and mountain towns have the robust resources necessary to recover and rebuild from these devastating fires," said Senator Cleave Simpson (SD-06).

"I want to thank President Trump for approving public assistance relief for our recovering communities here in Colorado. We are so grateful for these federal resources that will go toward restoring the land, the infrastructure, and the hope of those impacted by these devastating wildfires," said Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell (HD-20).

"I'd like to thank the President and the current administration for listening to Colorado in a time of desperate need. The public assistance relief funding will help us restore order and support rural communities that have been affected by this cruel wildfire season," said Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter (HD-47).

"Pueblo County is resilient, which is why I'm thrilled the federal government approved Colorado's Public Assistance request so we can build back stronger. Recovery takes time and federal dollars go a long way as we navigate the fallout from this disaster and get our communities back on their feet. I'd like to thank our first responders and all bipartisan elected officials and leaders who worked together to get the resources our community needs," said Representative Tisha Mauro (HD-46).

"I want to thank President Trump for his swift action in approving this Major Disaster Declaration for Colorado. Wildfires do not respect county lines, and communities across Senate District 4 know all too well the devastating toll these natural disasters can take on our homes, our livelihoods, and our local infrastructure. I will continue working with our local, state, and federal partners to make sure these resources reach the communities that need them and that we keep pushing for additional assistance for the families who lost their homes and livelihoods," said Senator Mark Baisley (SD-4).

"I want to extend my gratitude toward the Trump Administration for approving public assistance for our struggling Colorado communities. My District has been directly subjected to the harsh devastation of these wildfires, and this approval is a meaningful step toward healing and restoration for the people of House District 58," said Representative Larry Don Suckla (HD-58).

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What Gold Mountain Communities Are Saying

"Ouray County has a small population of about 5,100 residents, and though we plan for emergencies, the 40,000 acre Gold Mountain Fire and flooding outstripped our local government's ability to pay for the response and repairs of this large-scale disaster. In addition to all our emergency responders, thank you to our Colorado State emergency managers, and our state and federal representatives, all of whom worked together to quickly secure the funds to clear the mud, ash, rock, and logs and put our roads, drainage, and electricity back together. I am heartened by the community that has come together on a local, state, and nationwide level to help. As we get too much practice responding to more frequent climate driven natural disasters, Colorado is showing how we can work together to get through tough times. Emergency disaster assistance shouldn't be a red or blue political football, and in Colorado it is not. I hope that in the wake of this public assistance authorization, the White House will reassess the outstanding 2025 public assistance requests from the Elk & Lee fires and the Pagosa Springs flooding," said Jake Niece, Ouray County Commissioner.

"The City of Ouray and its residents are grateful for the financial help from the federal government for the recovery from the natural disasters this past summer. This will allow our communities to start the hard work of rebuilding and slowly getting back to normal. We appreciate the support as we work toward a brighter tomorrow," said Ouray Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Schiffer.

"Approval of Public Assistance is a critical step forward for Ouray County and provides much-needed federal support as we recover from the Gold Mountain Fire and the devastating post-fire flooding and debris flows that followed. Our small community has faced significant costs associated with emergency response, debris removal, and damage to roads, culverts, and other public infrastructure, while we continue working to protect residents from hazards that will remain long after the fire is out. We are extremely grateful for this assistance and remain hopeful that Hazard Mitigation Grant funding will also be approved, providing additional resources to reduce the long-term risks created by the burn scar and help protect our residents, infrastructure, and community for years to come," said Glenn Boyd, Ouray County Emergency Manager.

What Aspen Acres Communities Are Saying

"This Public Assistance funding will be a tremendous support to Pueblo County as we continue to recover from the Aspen Acres Fire. It is a vital support for the immediate needs of mitigation, debris removal and infrastructure improvements that are paramount to the community being able to get back on their feet. These efforts will be necessary before any additional rebuilding can occur, before communities can expect to revitalize economic development, and before communities can recover," said Shylo Dennison, Director of Community Engagement, Prevention and Response, Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.

"We are relieved that the administration approved Governor Polis' request for federal Public Assistance funding for the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain wildfires and subsequent flooding. We appreciate the Governor's persistence in petitioning for these federal funds so that our communities can accelerate the rebuilding and healing process.  We have a long road ahead of us, but Beulah and Rye have shown their strength and resilience over the past two months, and these funds will help ease the burden," said Brian Bush, Pueblo County homeowner.

"The approval of Public Assistance is meaningful progress for the communities affected by the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires. Reimbursing eligible costs for emergency response, debris removal, and damaged public infrastructure will help ease the burden on local communities while they continue the long work of recovery. We are grateful for this important step and remain hopeful that Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funding will also be approved, bringing much needed support to survivors and helping our communities rebuild," said Shanna Farmer, President/CEO of the United Way of Southern Colorado.

With Public Assistance now approved, the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) will work closely with FEMA, local governments, and affected communities to start documenting the expenses to fix damages. Additional information about available assistance and how impacted Coloradans can apply will be shared as soon as it becomes available.

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