Overview
- FEMA sent denial letters late Saturday rejecting Colorado’s requests for major disaster declarations for the August Elk and Lee fires and October Western Slope flooding.
- Gov. Jared Polis and Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper condemned the move and vowed to appeal, while Attorney General Phil Weiser is reviewing options and Rep. Jeff Hurd urged a consistent application of FEMA criteria.
- The White House said there is no politicization, citing careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars and noting it mobilized aerial firefighting systems during the Lee and Elk fires.
- State and FEMA-validated estimates cite about $27.5 million in fire and mudslide damage plus nearly $24 million to utility infrastructure, with flooding destroying or damaging water and wastewater systems and prompting evacuations and rescues.
- The denials follow separate administration actions affecting Colorado, including plans to dismantle NCAR and cancel grants, and E&E News reported the events caused damage that officials found would have met federal aid thresholds.