DENVER - Today, Governor Polis announced the new Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool to help Coloradans navigate recovery and rebuild after natural disasters. This new tool provides a step-by-step guide for what to do in the aftermath, immediate and long-term, of a natural disaster.

"Coloradans have seen more than our fair share of natural disasters, and this tool will help families in the darkest hours recover faster and stronger. By providing a step-by-step guide and connecting people with resources Coloradans, families, communities, and businesses can get back on their feet as soon as possible. Navigating a natural disaster is challenging, and this tool will put resources and guidance at Coloradans' fingertips 24/7," said Governor Jared Polis.

Climate change is increasing the risks Colorado communities face - especially in years with very hot and dry winter conditions. Colorado is committed to addressing these risks through a broad range of actions and investments such as Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Programs (COSWAP) and grants through the Natural Disaster Mitigation Enterprise. To build upon this, the Governor's Office of Climate Preparedness and Disaster Recovery has built a centralized tool to help Coloradans access guidance, best practices, and resources all in one place. This collaborative initiative draws from state agencies, federal partners, nonprofits and other assistance providers that support Coloradans after a disaster. This tool will help Coloradans navigate the recovery process after disasters, and to start moving toward recovery.

This tool is organized into three main components:

• "My Journey" - provides guidance on the common steps in the disaster recovery process tailored specifically to different people, including homeowners, renters, landlords, small business owners, and agricultural producers. There are simple, corresponding checklists based on chronological recovery stages and user types, which Coloradans can download and use as a roadmap to recovery and to track their progress.
• "Resources" - provides a database of disaster recovery resources that can be filtered by users to find the information they need, linking to a wide range of services and support, from meeting urgent needs to planning for long-term rebuilding. Information spans financial assistance to document replacement, debris removal to rebuilding. This information includes resources that are always available regardless of disaster declarations and can be filtered to see disaster-specific resources (e.g. if FEMA approves Individual Assistance for a specific disaster).
• "Best Practices" - provides simple guidance and advice to help people through recovery, from how to avoid getting scammed to tracking and documenting recovery expenses.

"We will see an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters in Colorado. This tool provides a path for survivors to start the steps faster and shares resources and key connections that survivors may not be aware of," shares DHSEM Director Kevin Klein. "I am proud of the work put in by our State Recovery Task Force to make this tool possible and to support the tool into the future."

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"The Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool will be very helpful to survivors of Colorado's next disaster. Having a one-stop website with resources that disaster survivors can use as they work through the recovery process will help make recovery go more smoothly for them, rather than navigating a web of complex, and difficult processes from multiple sources. The linked resources in the Navigation Tool will allow survivors to look for information they need at their own pace without becoming overwhelmed. It also provides basic information on how to navigate their insurance process, and where to go for further help and resources. As a Marshall fire survivor, this tool would've been very helpful as we navigated our recovery. I am glad it will be available when the next disaster occurs," said Lisa Hughes Colorado Program Specialist, United Policyholders.

"The Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool represents a transformative step forward in how we support Coloradans during their most challenging moments. By bridging the gap between initial response and long-term recovery, this tool provides survivors with a clear, vetted roadmap that guides us through essential safety measures, resource access, and the complex steps of rebuilding. It's not just a resource for those directly impacted; it will be a vital asset for our COVOAD partners and 211 Colorado Help Line staff to ensure that every Coloradan has a trusted, reliable compass that is simple and easy to follow to navigate the journey from crisis to stability with dignity and hope," Kasey Fox, Colorado VOAD Chairperson & Vice President of 211 & Community Crisis, Mile High United Way.

"In the aftermath of a disaster, clarity and connection can mean everything. The Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool brings both to survivors, offering guidance when the path forward feels uncertain and putting vital resources within reach, at the moment they're needed most. We experienced this first hand in Superior after the Marshall Fire and it is great to see the State responding to feedback from our disaster survivor community and creating a tool to help people focus on moving forward, not figuring out where to start." Allison James, Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Manager, Town of Superior.

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Colorado is proactively setting up systems to help combat the impact from natural disasters, and provide more information and resources when disasters do strike. Last week, Governor Polis, The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Colorado State Forest Service, and federal partners held the 2026 Wildfire Outlook and Preparedness Plan to outline Colorado's planning and preparedness for the upcoming fire season. Coloradans are encouraged to visit Live Wildfire Ready to learn how to protect their homes, create defensible spaces, and keep Colorado communities safe with simple, low-cost actions to take before a disaster.

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