The Trump administration has denied Colorado’s two appeals for major disaster declarations, blocking millions in federal aid for communities recovering from historic floods and wildfires in rural parts of the state and limiting support for rebuilding and mitigation efforts.
The federal decision blocks communities in northwestern Colorado from accessing FEMA public assistance after the Elk and Lee fires scorched more than 137,000 acres in Rio Blanco County last August and caused damage initially estimated atalmost $27.5 million. Severe flooding in southwestern Colorado two months later resulted in more than $13 million in damage to infrastructure.
It is the first time in 35 years Colorado has been denied federal assistance as part of the major disaster declaration request, state officials said Monday.
“These disasters caused real damage to homes, infrastructure, and local economies, and Coloradans should not be left to shoulder these costs alone,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement Monday night, calling the denials disappointing.
“We will continue supporting impacted communities and exploring every available path forward, but the federal government must be a reliable partner in disaster recovery,” the governor said.
FEMA’s denial this week comes after Colorado’s members of Congress earlier this year asked the agency to reverse its rejection of $41 million in federal aid.
Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet on Monday called the denial of funds “callous” and a decision that would leave rural Coloradans “footing the bill” in recovery efforts.
“Disasters are disasters, regardless of state lines or political parties,” the senators said in a joint statement. “Critical infrastructure remains unstable, costs continue to rise, and communities remain at risk. The President is solely responsible for this abdication of responsibility; the consequences of which will continue to be severe and long-lasting.”
The state said it would continue to work with local partners to support rebuilding and reduce long-term risks to communities across Colorado. Since July 2024, the state said it spent more than $57.5 million in these natural disasters, among others.
The Lee fire was the fourth-largest in the state’s history, while at the same time, the nearby Elk fire burned 15,000 acres. Together, the lightning-sparked fires covered more than 237 square miles, an area larger than the city of Chicago.
About $23.6 million of the damage was the destruction of two White River Electric Association high-voltage transmission lines serving oil and gas operations in the Piceance Basin.
The federal dollars would have supported the rebuilding of the public utilities that provide electricity in the basin, which produces about 2% to 5% of the U.S.’ daily consumption of natural gas. Oil and gas companies are the most significant job providers in Rio Blanco County and drive the region’s economy.
“We’re deeply disappointed in the recent denial,” Kari Matrisciano, White River Electric Association spokesperson, said in an email to The Colorado Sun.
The electricity provider has been using a $25 million emergency line of credit to repair miles of transmission lines. So far, customer bills have not been impacted, Matrisciano said.
Without FEMA funding to help pay off those lines of credit, electricity costs could increase in the future. The association is trying to minimize the impact on its electricity customers, potentially by spreading repayment over 30 years.
“WREA understands the critical role the Piceance Basin plays in our nation’s overall fossil fuel consumption,” she said. “We’re severely disappointed that FEMA didn’t recognize that role.”
The second denial for federal dollars was for the historic flooding in La Plata, Archuleta and Mineral counties last October after heavy rains swelled streams and rivers in the Vallecito, Piedra, San Juan and South Fork of the Rio Grande river basins.
The historic floods destroyed two homes, damaged private roads and tore up lawns, causing $13.82 million in damage to public roads, culverts and other infrastructure, plus debris removal costs, state officials said in the January appeal.
Colorado Sun writer Shannon Mullane contributed to this story.