Gov. Polis submits appeal of federal government’s denial of disaster funding for Elk and Lee Fires
U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, a Republican who represents the region where the fires occurred has also called on the Trump administration issue disaster declarations
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is appealing the federal government’s decision to deny two disaster declaration requests that would have unlocked federal funds for recovery efforts.
Polis submitted the appeal on Friday after President Donald Trump’s administration denied his requests for major disaster declarations for the Elk and Lee Fires and extensive flooding in southwestern Colorado, according to a news release.
“We are submitting these appeals to help ensure that the Colorado communities impacted can get the support they deserve to recover more quickly,” Polis said in a statement. “Whether fires or floods, Coloradans have been deeply impacted by these natural disasters. With this appeal, we hope that the federal government steps up to help Coloradans recover stronger.”
Under a federal law known as the Stafford Act, governors of states affected by disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, storms, earthquakes, wildfires or droughts can request major disaster declarations when they determine the situation beyond the capability of the state. The president has the sole discretion on whether to issue a major disaster declaration, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
The denial letters issued by the Trump administration in December do not explain why the major disaster declaration requests were denied, but they do state that the request for federal assistance “is not warranted.”
Support Local Journalism
An unnamed FEMA spokesperson in December said “this decision just like all disaster requests was based on policy not politics,” but has not responded to multiple inquiries seeking specifics on what criteria the disasters failed to meet.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 3rd congressional district, which includes the region where the fires occurred, is among those who called on Trump to issue the major disaster declarations.
“Western Colorado has long supported the President, and that support comes from communities now facing the real human and economic consequences of recent disasters,” Hurd said in a statement. “Local leaders and residents are seeking a consistent application of FEMA criteria so recovery efforts can move forward.”
Democratic politicians, including Polis and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, have accused the Trump administration of retaliating against the state and playing “political games” by withholding the disaster funding.
The Lee and Elk fires burned tens of thousands of acres in Rio Blanco County this summer, destroying at least five homes. The Lee Fire grew to more than 137,000 acres — or more than 237 square miles, an area larger than Chicago — before it was contained, according to Polis’ Office.
Polis verbally declared a state-level disaster emergency for the wildfires in August, approved the deployment of the Colorado National Guard and dedicated $18.5 million in state funding for suppression, response and recovery efforts. The state has demonstrated — and FEMA has verified — $27 million in damages from the fires and subsequent mudslides, which is expected to grow over time, according to the news release.
The flooding in southwestern Colorado in October led to the destruction of multiple homes and other infrastructure in the region. On a per capita basis in Archuleta County, the damages caused by the flooding equates to more than $995 per person to repair roads and other county infrastructure, according to the Polis’ Office. A series of local and state damage assessments, which have been verified through FEMA, caused more than $13,800,000 in damages.
The combined $41 million in losses from the wildfires and the flooding in southwest Colorado “exceed FEMA’s threshold to approve a federal disaster declaration,” according to Polis’ office.
