Gov. Jared Polis requests Major Disaster Declaration from White House to aid in ‘Apsen Acres’ fire recovery
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) – On Sunday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis made a formal, comprehensive request to the federal government asking for help recovering after the ‘Apsen Acres’ and ‘Gold Mountain’ fires.
The request for aid is split into three categories: Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding.
“The Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires destroyed over 300 homes, damaged critical infrastructure, and disrupted the livelihoods of Coloradans across three counties. These disasters clearly meet all the requirements for a Major Disaster Declaration, and the flooding and debris flows that followed have caused further destruction and claimed a life,” Gov. Polis said.
The governor’s office explains that individual assistance would go towards eligible homeowners for needs such as temporary housing, home repairs, and essential personal property. That even extends to crisis counseling, disaster care management, disaster unemployment assistance, and disaster legal services.
Public assistance would help state and local governments, public utilities, and certain nonprofit organizations cover eligible costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairs to roads, water systems, electric grids, and more, the governor’s office explains.
The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding would support long-term solutions that reduce the impact of future disasters in an impacted community.
“Federal support is critical because the Aspen Acres Fire, followed by flash flooding from the massive burn scar, has created a continuous and compounding disaster far beyond what our local resources can sustain,” said Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero.
“This Major Disaster Declaration is very important to the Custer citizens to recover some of our costs and put them into our own citizens’ wildfire mitigation, evacuation route enhancements, and good faith effort on our federal government’s responsibility to its citizens,” said Custer County Commissioner Lucas Epp.
The most recent reports from the incident command team estimate the ‘Aspen Acres’ Fire has burned more than 102,000 acres, plus more than 800 structures, including 324 homes.
Included in the damage, the governor’s office says the San Isabel Electric Association suffered millions of dollars in damages, along with the Pine Drive Water District, which only in the past month was able to turn water back on for its customers.
“We have been working to assess the damage correctly and by the book and ensure we get it right to do all we can to support our communities affected by these disasters,” Governor Polis said. “I ask the President to approve this request so Coloradans can access the support needed to recover and rebuild.”
Included in the announcement, the governor’s office provided several links for assistance:
Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool: After a disaster, it can be difficult to know what steps to take. The Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool provides resources for survivors and guidance on what to do in the days and months beyond a fire. Colorado Disaster Information Hub: Provides up-to-date information, county-by-county, on disasters currently being supported by the state and links to relevant resources for those impacted. 211 Colorado Wildfire Information & Resources: Colorado 211 provides information on active wildfire warnings currently in effect and lists statewide resources available to anyone impacted by any of the wildfires across Colorado. American Red Cross Open Shelters and Disaster Relief Services: The American Red Cross is offering assistance to Coloradans who have been forced to evacuate their homes and those whose access to essential services has been disrupted. Colorado Association of Realtors Foundation: Households displaced from their primary residence due to a Colorado summer 2026 wildfire can receive up to $1,000 in housing-related assistance, including mortgage and rental assistance. Applications will be accepted through October 30, 2026, or until available funds have been distributed.Click here to follow the original article.