Colorado: 173 Bipartisan Coloradans, Organizations, and Community Leaders Join in Support of Governor Polis’s Request for a Major Presidential Disaster

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DENVER — Today, Governor Jared Polis announced that the State has supplemented its Major Disaster Declaration (MDD) request with 173 letters of support demonstrating the urgent need for federal assistance and the broad, bipartisan support for Colorado's request.

"These letters tell the stories behind the damage assessments: families who lost everything, first responders and local governments whose resources are exhausted, water providers struggling to maintain essential services, and small businesses fighting to survive. These bipartisan letters also prove natural disasters know no political party, and every Coloradan rural or urban should have the support to recover and rebuild. Colorado has committed significant resources to these disasters, but our communities cannot recover from a disaster of this magnitude alone. I hope that President Trump hears these Coloradans and approves our request," said Governor Polis.

The letters include:
  • 88 from homeowners and community members
  • 36 from bipartisan elected officials and local government entities
  • 21 from nonprofit and community organizations
  • 20 describing impacts to businesses and the regional economy
  • 8 from infrastructure and essential utility providers

The letters from elected officials and government entities demonstrate bipartisan support extending far beyond the counties directly affected by the disasters. Letters came from state legislators, county commissioners, mayors, school districts, public health officials, and other government leaders representing communities across southern, southwestern, central, and northern Colorado. This support is in addition to a bipartisan letter signed by all ten members of Colorado's congressional delegation urging the President to expedite his review and approve the Governor's request.

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"The outpouring of support for Governor Polis's request reflects the extraordinary needs facing communities affected by the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires," said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. "Given the scale of the devastation, with these fires burning over 140,000 acres across three counties and destroying infrastructure, water supplies, and hundreds of homes and structures, federal disaster funding is essential to help these communities rebuild. I am glad to lead the entire Colorado congressional delegation in support of this request."

"From Ridgway and Rye to Beulah and Ouray, we're hearing how the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires and devastating flooding have forever altered lives and livelihoods," said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper. "The Trump administration must quickly approve these major disaster declarations and give these communities the resources they need to get back on their feet."

"The message from Colorado is clear: these communities need help. Families have lost homes, businesses and ranchers are facing enormous losses, and local governments and first responders have stretched their resources to the limit. The 173 letters submitted today show just how broad the support is for getting these communities the resources they need to recover and rebuild. I appreciate Coloradans from across the state standing with our rural communities, and I urge President Trump to approve this disaster declaration as quickly as possible," said U.S. Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03).

"When I talk to the people in my district, I am heartbroken at the devastation that many have faced. However, I am filled with hope when I see their willingness and determination to rebuild and recover. The approval of a disaster declaration is an essential step. I'm proud that people across our state who have been impacted, first responders, community-based organizations, and community members, have provided letters of support that demonstrate the urgency and need to draw down disaster funds so they can begin to rebuild their homes, businesses, infrastructure, and their lives," said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07). "These are communities that have already endured unimaginable loss. They should not have to wonder whether the federal government will help them recover. Federal disaster assistance is not about politics—it is about helping Americans get back on their feet after a disaster."

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Together, the letters of support describe what others have said about losing homes and livelihoods, first responders and local governments whose resources have been stretched thin, utility providers working to restore and protect essential services, and businesses struggling with lost revenue and continued uncertainty. Across regions, professions, and political affiliations, the message is consistent: affected communities have stepped up and supported one another, but the scale and impacts of these disasters has exceeded what communities can recover from alone. Governor Polis submitted Colorado's request to the President on August 23 so impacted communities can access the federal assistance needed to recover, rebuild, and resume their lives.

Read more about the Governor's Major Disaster Declaration request.

Read what they're saying about Governor Polis's Major Disaster Declaration request.

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