Governor Polis Calls Out Trump Administration for Denying Colorado’s Disaster Appeals for Elk and Lee Fires, Western Colorado Floods

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DENVER ~ In a disappointing turn of events, the federal government has denied two appeals for Major Disaster Declarations in the State of Colorado. The first appeal was related to the Elk and Lee Fires that occurred in Rio Blanco County in September of last year, while the second was in response to recovery efforts in La Plata, Archuleta, and Mineral Counties following the record-breaking Western Colorado Flooding that took place in October.

The denial of these appeals means that impacted communities will not receive critical FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation support from the federal government. This lack of assistance could have serious consequences for these communities as they try to recover from the disasters.

Governor Jared Polis expressed his disappointment with the federal government's decision, stating that Colorado communities had done everything right in responding to the disasters. He emphasized that these communities should not be left to shoulder the costs of recovery alone and called on the federal government to be a reliable partner in disaster recovery.

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Kevin Klein, Director of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, also expressed frustration with the denial of federal assistance. He noted that this is the first time in 35 years that Colorado has been denied federal assistance as part of a major disaster declaration request. Klein stated that while alternative solutions are being explored, providing substantial relief to disaster survivors will be much more difficult without federal support.

The Elk and Lee Fires burned for nearly a month from August 2-29, 2025, causing over $27 million in damages. The flooding that occurred just a few months later from October 10-14 caused an additional $13 million in damages. Governor Polis formally requested Major Disaster Declarations for both events in September and November 2025 respectively. However, both requests were denied by the federal government in December 2025.

Despite submitting formal appeals in January, these latest decisions represent a final denial of federal recovery support for impacted communities. This means they will have to rely on state and local resources to rebuild and recover from the disasters.

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The Elk and Lee Fires burned over 137,000 acres and caused significant damage to energy infrastructure critical to Rio Blanco County's economy. The subsequent flooding and mudslides further compounded the damage, impacting roads, bridges, and public systems. In Southwest Colorado, the historic flooding caused over $13 million in damages to infrastructure, including the destruction of 60 miles of road and major impacts to water and wastewater systems.

While federal assistance may not be available, the State of Colorado has already invested over $57.5 million in disaster relief since July 2024. The state will continue working with local partners to support rebuilding efforts and reduce long-term risks for communities across Colorado. However, without federal support, these communities will have to make difficult decisions about how to balance expensive recovery costs with limited resources while also facing heightened risks of future disasters.

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