Overview
- Gov. Jared Polis formally asked President Trump and FEMA on Sunday for a Major Disaster Declaration to secure Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and FEMA Hazard Mitigation grants for Pueblo, Custer and Ouray counties.
- The Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires burned more than 140,000 acres in total, destroyed 324 homes, and forced about 11,600 people to evacuate while firefighters continue containment work.
- Heavy rains over the burn scars have caused repeated flooding and debris flows, and a flood on Aug. 16 on the Aspen Acres burn scar killed one person and damaged roads and access.
- State and federal teams have identified about $17.2 million in eligible public-assistance damages for Aspen Acres and $1.4 million for Gold Mountain, while local officials warn total losses could be far higher and local resources are nearing exhaustion.
- The request follows a 2025 denial of Colorado disaster aid and is politically important because approval would deliver direct help to displaced households, pay for debris removal and infrastructure repairs, and fund projects to reduce future flood and fire risks.