What Colorado Leaders, Communities, and Residents Are Saying About Governor Polis’s Request for a Major Disaster Declaration

DENVER - On Sunday, Governor Jared Polis formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration (MDD) from President Donald Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support recovery from the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires and the subsequent flooding and debris flows from both burn scars. The request seeks over $18 million in federal disaster assistance to support impacted families and homeowners, local governments, essential public services, and long-term mitigation efforts as recovery continues in Pueblo, Custer, and Ouray counties. On Monday, all ten members of Colorado's congressional delegation came together to send a bipartisan letter urging the President to expedite his review and approve the State's request.

What Elected Leaders Are Saying

"Ouray, Pueblo, and Custer counties are battling real, lasting damage from this summer's fires and flooding. Coloradans take care of each other no matter how many counties away the disaster hits, and the legislature stands behind Governor Polis's Major Disaster Declaration request to make sure the federal government shows up too," said Colorado Senate President James Coleman (SD-33).

"Coloradans across Pueblo, Custer and Ouray counties are still living in the aftermath of this disaster: evacuated neighborhoods, damaged water systems and roads too dangerous to drive. Recovery on this scale doesn't happen in months; it takes years and more resources than a single rural community can provide on its own. Every family rebuilding deserves to know they are not alone. Colorado is committed to supporting all Coloradans impacted and recovering," said Colorado House of Representatives Speaker Julie McCluskie (HD-13).

"Communities impacted by the Gold Mountain Fire and Aspen Acres Fire have endured tremendous loss and uncertainty. President Trump's Major Disaster Declaration will help ensure our local governments, first responders, families, and businesses have access to the federal resources needed to recover and rebuild. I strongly support this declaration and will continue advocating for the people of my district as they work to restore their homes, livelihoods, and communities," said Colorado Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson (SD-06).

"Colorado has endured tremendous devastation during this wildfire season. While there can be no monetary value put on the lives that have been lost, we ask for the support of the federal government during this time so that we may begin to mend what has been broken," said Colorado House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell (HD-20).

"Colorado has experienced great loss at the hands of these wildfires, with many having lost their homes, their land, and their loved ones. As we work to help our communities recover and protect Coloradans from future devastation, we urge the federal government to come alongside us in support of the Colorado people," said Colorado House Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter (HD-47).

"Fires and floods have devastated the Pueblo area this summer, destroying homes and our community's sense of security. This Major Disaster Declaration will significantly impact families' ability to rebuild their homes and our communities," said Senator Nick Hinrichsen (SD-03).

"The Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires have deeply affected families and communities, who now have a tough recovery ahead. President Trump's Major Disaster Declaration will provide important resources for those who have lost so much and for local communities as they rebuild. I am grateful to the firefighters, first responders, emergency workers, and neighbors who helped when it mattered most. We will keep working to make sure these communities get the support they need as they recover and rebuild," said Senator Mark Baisley (SD-04).

"My heart goes out to the families in my district standing where their homes used to be as they try to figure out what comes next. While we are resilient, rural communities like mine need federal relief and support as we navigate this disaster. Recovery requires real resources, and this declaration puts Pueblo County families on a path forward," said Representative Tisha Mauro (HD-46).

"As a rural representative on the Western Slope, I've seen firsthand how devastating these fires have been. The loss of vegetation has caused extreme flooding in areas that have never flooded before, destroying homes along the creek. It will take years for the land to recover, and my community needs strong partners to help us rebuild and restore the ground my constituents depend on to make a living," said Representative Larry Don Suckla (HD-58).

What Gold Mountain Communities Are Saying

"When the Gold Mountain Fire started, it was horrific watching the trees explode and the fire racing through our beautiful mountains. But what followed was more devastating. The evacuations and heartbreak of our locals. The tourists changed their plans and traveled elsewhere. Our economy, after a miserably dry winter, is decimated. Then the post fire floods and debris flows took out houses and roads, ultimately closing the highway. Families in Ponderosa Village lost everything. Now the recovery begins and we are working to protect our citizens from further destruction and havoc. Please support our community," said Ouray County Commissioner & Vice Chair Michelle Nauer.

"Ouray County was already facing significant budget constraints when the Gold Mountain Fire struck, and the subsequent flooding and debris flows have placed an extraordinary additional financial burden on the County. The County is facing substantial costs to repair damaged roads, culverts, drainage systems, and other critical infrastructure, while also addressing ongoing post-fire flood and debris-flow hazards that are expected to persist for years. Federal disaster assistance is critical to ensure Ouray County can complete these necessary repairs, protect lives and property, and continue providing essential public services without placing an unsustainable financial burden on our small rural community," said Glenn Boyd, Ouray County Emergency Manager.

"The Gold Mountain Fire has been an economic disaster for my hotel and businesses throughout Ouray. After our worst winter in 21 years, the fire and resulting disruptions caused another major downturn during the height of our tourism season. Our local businesses are doing everything possible to hold on, but I don't know how much more our community can absorb without additional support. Federal assistance is critical to helping Ouray recover," said Ryan Hein, President of the Ouray Chamber Resort Association.

"Although this disaster has not affected a numerous amount of people, it is a disaster of great proportions. One would have to be here to see the amount of debris and destruction that has gone on. It is not a problem that will go away in a few years. The experts say that the flooding will go on for at least six years and perhaps more. Any resources the federal government has to help this community and county and future floods would be greatly appreciated. We hope this is declared a major disaster area," said Michael Lane, Ouray County Disaster Survivor.

What Aspen Acres Communities Are Saying

"When the wildfire broke out, I responded in my professional role to support the initial response. Driving past Aspen Acres with flames rising on my right while my phone buzzed with my own evacuation order was a moment I'll never forget. I could have never imagined it would be the first of 24 days away from home. Later that week, I helped mobilize the Disaster Assistance Center, where I saw thousands of community members facing the same uncertainty I was - people trying to secure basic necessities, cope with unimaginable loss, and figure out where they would live next. And now, with flooding following the fire, our community is exhausted from living in a constant state of vigilance. These mountain communities pride themselves on taking care of ourselves and each other. But this disaster is different. Its scale, the personal toll, and the damage to our infrastructure have stretched us beyond what we can recover from alone. The need for federal support right now is undeniable and is as prominent as the burned trees standing where our once green and vibrant forest stood," said Shylo Dennison, Director of Community Engagement, Prevention and Response, Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.

"Getting the fire under control or extinguished is only the beginning - the remaining burn scar is devoid of vegetation and creates an environment for flash flooding and water contamination. Beulah has had four rounds of flooding since evacuation orders were lifted - the community hasn't been able to start the recovery from the fire because of the ongoing threat of flooding. Funding and resources are critical at this time to help the local businesses survive and the residents to start the rebuilding process. Beulah has been struggling just to get basic water services due to the flooding and ash-contaminated water from the fire," said Brian Bush, Pueblo County homeowner.

"A federal disaster declaration would bring critical resources to individuals, families, and communities facing a long and difficult recovery from these devastating wildfires. Southern Colorado has responded with extraordinary generosity, but the scale of the Aspen Acres Fire extends far beyond what local resources and philanthropy can meet alone. Federal assistance would strengthen the recovery effort and provide another important source of support as our communities work to address the significant needs that will remain for months and years to come," said Shanna Farmer, President/CEO of the United Way of Southern Colorado.

"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. More than 102,000 acres burned, hundreds of homes and several businesses were lost, critical infrastructure was damaged, lives were forever changed, and now our communities face deadly flooding from an altered watershed. We have done everything we can at the local level, but the magnitude and ongoing nature of this disaster require federal assistance to help Pueblo County recover and rebuild," said Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero.

"Custer County citizens are extremely resilient and are adept at handling anything thrown their way. However, this disaster showed us that fire behavior has changed and that the National Forests are out of our control for wildfire mitigation. 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.

What Other Local Leaders Are Saying

"The denial of a federal disaster declaration after experiencing two one hundred year flooding events between October 10-14, 2025, was and continues to be deeply disappointing to us and to the families who have suffered losses. The county and our residents should not be left with the financial and emotional burden of rebuilding without the federal assistance we desperately need. We urge the administration to consider this when they receive additional disaster declaration requests from the great state of Colorado, and recognize the severity of the damage and the urgent needs of those affected. Our communities, regardless of their political affiliation, deserve a strong compassionate response that puts the well-being of our neighbors and our communities first," said Warren Brown, Board Chair, Archuleta County Commissioner.

"I support Colorado communities receiving federal assistance when disasters overwhelm local resources. That same support should have been available to Vallecito, where residents and La Plata County were left to manage a significant flood recovery without federal disaster funding. Families and local governments should not have to carry the financial and emotional burden of recovery alone, and Vallecito's experience demonstrates why timely federal partnership is so important when disaster strikes," said La Plata County Commissioner Matt Salka.

"After last year's devastating floods and the denial of federal disaster assistance, Archuleta County is only now beginning to return to a sense of normalcy. In one year since August 2025, the Oakwood Fire, the floods, and the Rio Blanco Fire, have strained the limited resources of our small, rural community and reinforced just how important it is for communities to be resilient when federal support is no longer guaranteed. I'm grateful to Governor Polis and the state for keeping local leaders informed and supported, and I sincerely hope the communities impacted by these latest disasters receive the federal assistance they need to rebuild and get back on their feet faster than we were able to," said Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux.

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