Polis Seeks Federal Disaster Declaration After Southwest Floods

Gov. Jared Polis said Saturday he has asked President Donald Trump for an expedited major disaster declaration to fund recovery from the flooding and debris flows that hit southwestern Colorado from Oct. 22 to Oct. 25. The request goes through FEMA and seeks Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for Archuleta and Rio Grande counties.

State, federal and local assessment teams have documented $26.989 million in Public Assistance-eligible damage in those two counties. Polis said that figure covers only the sites crews could reach during the initial assessment period. About 100 homes in Archuleta County remained inaccessible as of Oct. 29, and additional costs will be recorded as crews gain access.

Colorado has already committed money to the response. The Transportation Commission approved $5 million in contingency funds on Oct. 26 for initial transportation work. CDOT then requested about $65 million from the Federal Highway Administration on Oct. 28 to repair federal-aid roadways. On Oct. 30, the agency released $6.5 million in quick-release funding for work on U.S. 160, U.S. 550 and Colorado Highway 151 before winter. Polis said those highway costs sit outside the FEMA request.

The state deployed nearly 100 National Guard members with aviation and ground resources, rescued 48 people and 31 animals, and delivered food, water and supplies. Polis declared a disaster emergency on Oct. 22 covering Alamosa, Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Ouray, Rio Grande, San Juan and San Miguel counties, then added Conejos County on Oct. 23. Those declarations activated the State Emergency Operations Plan and authorized emergency spending, purchasing and National Guard support for flood response, evacuations and search and rescue.

Trevor Denney, director of the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, said the damage has affected community members and local, state and Tribal infrastructure. Polis said the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, whose lands were also hit, will pursue FEMA assistance on its own. The state's request is pending federal approval, and officials are continuing assessments in other affected counties.

Residents can report damage through their county's damage-reporting system. Polis said filing a report does not serve as an application for financial assistance. Road conditions are posted at COtrip.org and through the COtrip Planner app. Immediate emergencies should go to 911.