The Colorado Congressional delegation today welcomed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to add several counties to those eligible for individual and public assistance for flood recovery efforts. The announcement follows Governor Hickenlooper’s request to FEMA, which was supported by the entire delegation.
“Coloradans have demonstrated a remarkable sense of unity and resilience since last month’s floods. They came together in the immediate aftermath to help save lives and property, and now they’ve begun the monumental task of rebuilding their communities,” the delegation said. “Extending assistance to these additional counties will help ensure that everyone affected by the floods has access to critical resources to get back on their feet. FEMA has been an incredible partner throughout this unthinkable tragedy, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure communities have the resources they need to rebuild.”
Individual Assistance, such as disaster unemployment and housing assistance, is now available to residents in Fremont and Morgan counties. Communities in Arapahoe, Crowley, Denver, Fremont, Gilpin, Lake, Lincoln, and Sedgwick counties are now eligible to apply for Public Assistance from FEMA, which includes things like debris removal and the repair or rebuilding of public facilities and infrastructure. FEMA continues to review the requests for assistance in the other counties identified by the governor.
Earlier this week, Gov. Hickenlooper formally requested that Broomfield, Denver, Fremont, Gilpin, Morgan, Otero, and Washington counties be designated for Individual Assistance. The governor also asked that Arapahoe, Crowley, Denver, Fremont, Gilpin, Lake, Lincoln, and Sedgwick counties be made eligible for Public Assistance.
The entire congressional delegation has worked since the flooding began to ensure Colorado communities and agencies have every federal resource they need to save lives, protect homes, and start the recovery process. The recent bill passed to fund the government included a provision written by members of the delegation to raise the cap on emergency highway funding available to Colorado to rebuild and repair roads and bridges battered by the floods. They also led a delegation effort urging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make disaster recovery funds available.
The lawmakers will continue to work together with federal agencies to advocate for critical federal resources to aid in recovery efforts.