Governor Polis Memorializes Verbal Disaster Declaration for The Post, Sheep Pen, High Fence, and Gotera Fires in Las Animas County

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis issued an Executive Order memorializing the Lt. Governor's verbal disaster declaration on August 13, 2026 for the Post, Sheep Pen, High Fence, and Gotera Fires in Las Animas County.

The Executive Order memorializes the Lt. Governor's verbal declaration which activated the State Emergency Operations Plan and directed the Department of Public Safety and its Divisions of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) to take responsibility for all response, recovery, and mitigation efforts on the Post, Sheep Pen, High Fence, and Gotera Fires in Las Animas County. The Executive Order also employs the Colorado National Guard in an unarmed capacity to assist with evacuations and mitigation. Lastly, the Executive Order temporarily suspends certain Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) statutes and regulations to allow for more flexibility for emergency medical service providers to assist in fire recovery under the guidance of the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS).

As of August 17, 2026, the Sheep Pen, High Fence, and Gotera Fires had burned a combined 858 acres in Las Animas County and were 100% contained. As of September 8, the Post Fire had burned 4,335 acres and was 90% contained.

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