Overview

• Colorado formally requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration last week for the Elk and Lee fires, and the White House has not announced a decision.
• A declaration would unlock FEMA programs for temporary housing, infrastructure repair, debris removal, loans, and insurance assistance, after FEMA validated $27,491,064 in initial damages.
• The entire Colorado congressional delegation supports the request, with Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Jeff Hurd leading a bipartisan letter urging approval.
• The Elk fire burned about 14,518 acres and the Lee fire burned about 137,758 acres, prompting evacuations and Colorado National Guard deployment.
• The administration says it is closely scrutinizing disaster spending and approvals have recently taken longer on average, even as nearly $20 million in federal fire grants has already supported the response.