Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources, and John Hickenlooper joined Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse to urge ten insurance companies representing Colorado’s homeowners to extend Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage for survivors of the Marshall Fire from 24 months to 36 months.
“Almost two years later, reconstruction efforts are still underway. Many homes have only just finished their foundations and are still months away from completion. About 190 families have moved back into rebuilt homes. It’s unlikely that the nearly 900 other homeowners will have finished by the time the ALE extension expires at the end of year – especially because these homeowners are competing for the same contractors, materials, permits and inspections,” the letter stated,” wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Neguse.
Last year, Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Neguse urged homeowners’ insurance companies to extend ALE coverage for Marshall Fire survivors from 12 months of coverage to 24 months. That extended coverage is set to expire at the end of the year.
“We are not out of the woods yet. Our Colorado families still need assistance during the rebuilding process. I join our state and local officials in requesting that you extend ALE coverage from 24 months to 36 months for survivors of the Marshall Fire suffering a total loss of their owner-occupied home,” the lawmakers concluded.
The Marshall Fire, which began on December 30, 2021, claimed over 1,000 homes, and caused an estimated $2 billion in total damages, making it the most devastating and costliest fire in Colorado history. Recent reports show that fewer than two hundred individuals impacted by the Marshall Fire have been able to return home.
In October 2022, Bennet, Hickenlooper, and Neguse welcomed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) decision to allow the State of Colorado to directly administer $6 million in funding for Marshall Fire recovery. This decision was made after the lawmakers urged HUD to approve this request earlier that year.
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Insurance Provider,
I am writing on behalf of the survivors of the Marshall Fire in Boulder County, Colorado, whose current extension of Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage expires at the end of December 2023.
The Marshall Fire was the most destructive fire in Colorado’s history, devastating neighborhoods across Louisville, Superior, and unincorporated Boulder County. The fire claimed over 1,000 homes, caused an estimated $2 billion in total damages, and resulted in the tragic loss of life. However, our communities are resilient and chose to rebuild in the face of this catastrophic disaster.
Almost two years later, reconstruction efforts are still underway. Many homes have only just finished their foundations and are still months away from completion. About 190 families have moved back into rebuilt homes. It’s unlikely that the nearly 900 other homeowners will have finished by the time the ALE extension expires at the end of year – especially because these homeowners are competing for the same contractors, materials, permits and inspections
ALE coverage provides financial support for individuals who cannot live in their homes due to catastrophic events such as natural disasters. For many, especially those who are under-insured, it’s not feasible to pay rent in addition to mortgages. Last year, ten companies had policyholders with 12 months of ALE, and all ten companies agreed to extend ALE coverage up to 24 months for Marshall Fire survivors who experienced a total loss of their owner-occupied home. The impact of the 2023 extension cannot be overstated.
We are not out of the woods yet. Our Colorado families still need assistance during the rebuilding process. I join our state and local officials in requesting that you extend ALE coverage from 24 months to 36 months for survivors of the Marshall Fire suffering a total loss of their owner-occupied home.
I greatly appreciate the attention with which you have assisted our communities in the wake of the Marshall Fire and request that you approach this impending crisis with the same level of urgency.
Sincerely,