Gov. Jared Polis has requested about $27 million in federal aid to repair public property after floods in southern Colorado. The Federal Highway Administration has already approved $6.5 million for urgent road repairs.
The request, sent Saturday to President Donald Trump, covers the storms of Oct. 22-25. It includes preliminary damage estimates for Archuleta and Rio Grande counties, two of the 12 counties covered by state disaster declarations. Data from the remaining counties will be added once assessments are completed. Polis acknowledged that the amount will likely grow.
According to the governor’s office, losses to local roads, bridges and culverts came to about $10.6 million. Damage to municipal infrastructure was estimated at $2.44 million, and damage to parks and recreational facilities at $8.59 million. Emergency protective measures cost $4.16 million. The request covers FEMA programs for public assistance and for mitigating the effects of future disasters. If approved, FEMA would cover 75% of repair costs.
The request does not include aid for private individuals. Polis stressed that homeowners should first turn to their insurers. The Southern Ute Tribe, whose lands were also hit, will seek FEMA assistance separately.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) on Wednesday asked for $65 million to repair highways in the southwestern part of the state. The Federal Highway Administration approved the request, including $6.5 million in quick-release funds so crews can begin work before winter.
About 1,000 people were evacuated because of the flooding, and rescuers saved 48 people and 31 animals. On Saturday, about 100 homes in Archuleta County remained inaccessible. According to Commissioner Warren Brown, about 800 buildings there are affected, including 540 homes, and about 150 miles (about 241 km) of county roads are impassable. Another wave of rain and snow is moving toward the same region, with a flooding risk through Monday.
No timeline has been set for the president’s decision. Trump rejected Colorado’s request related to the 2025 flooding but approved aid after the Aspen Acres fire. “I hope the president does the right thing,” Polis said.
Source: Colorado Sun, Denver Post
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