DENVER - Today, Governor Jared Polis announced that the State will cover 75% of the non-federal cost share for Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) projects addressing flooding risks following the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires. State support is being offered to Ouray, Pueblo, and Custer Counties to help impacted communities take immediate steps to protect families, homes, and infrastructure from post-fire flooding and reduce watershed risks as the burn scars heal over the coming years.

"Colorado is doing everything it can to secure support and help Coloradans recover from these devastating fires. Covering more of the local costs will help counties protect their communities, families, homes, and infrastructure from flooding while freeing up local funds for other recovery needs. I am grateful to our local and federal partners for working together to help these communities rebuild," said Governor Polis.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) provides funding and technical assistance through EWP to address threats to lives and property following natural disasters. For these projects, NRCS covers 75% of eligible construction costs, with local sponsors - the counties - responsible for the remaining 25%. Colorado's new commitment will cover three-quarters of that local sponsor's total share, reducing the local financial responsibility from 25% of eligible construction costs to just 6.25%. Previously, the State provided no funding toward this match.

"Post-fire flooding poses an imminent threat to public safety, as we have already seen on both the Gold Mountain and Aspen Acres Fires. As counties are budgeting to address other aspects of the disaster, I am happy that we will be able to provide this additional funding to help mitigate this immediate threat," said Trevor Denney, Director for the Colorado Office of Emergency Management.

"On behalf of Sheriff David J. Lucero and the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners, we are grateful to Governor Polis and the State of Colorado for this continued investment in our recovery. The Aspen Acres Fire did not end when the flames were contained; the post-fire flooding will remain a threat for years to come. This commitment significantly reduces the burden on Pueblo County while helping us protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure as our communities recover," said Joshua Johnson, Emergency Management Coordinator for the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

By reducing the local costs of flood protection work, Colorado is also helping counties preserve funds for other disaster recovery expenses, including local costs associated with damages covered by the Public Assistance funding as part of Colorado's partially approved Major Disaster Declaration. This investment builds on Colorado's partnership with NRCS and local communities to address immediate flooding threats and support the long-term recovery from this summer's fires.

###