Colorado extends wildfire emergency, encumbers $265.8 million as flood risk remains elevated
A July 24 order extends Colorado’s disaster emergency for four wildfires and authorizes Guard support and $265.8 million in suppression, response and recovery spending as Aspen Acres damage assessments begin.
Colorado has extended its disaster emergency for four wildfires and encumbered $265.8 million for suppression, response and recovery as officials begin assessing damage from the Aspen Acres Fire and warn of flash-flood risk over burn scars.
Executive Order D 2026 009, signed July 24 by Gov. Jared Polis, extends the emergency for the Snyder, Gold Mountain, Willow and Aspen Acres fires for 30 days and authorizes unarmed Colorado National Guard members to support fire operations.
The order transfers $103,772,861 from the State Emergency Reserve Cash Fund to the Disaster Emergency Fund and encumbers $265,805,290 for suppression, response, consequence management, mitigation and recovery. The money is available for up to 72 months. The order also says FEMA approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for the Gold Mountain, Willow and Aspen Acres fires.
Damage assessments begin
Joint preliminary damage assessments for the Aspen Acres Fire began Wednesday, July 29, and are scheduled to continue Thursday, July 30, the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said. Teams from Pueblo and Custer counties, DHSEM, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Colorado 211 are verifying damage on site.
The assessments will examine potential FEMA assistance for damaged public infrastructure, emergency protective measures, people and primary homes. The verified information could help the governor decide whether to request a major disaster declaration and identify which areas and assistance categories might qualify. No major disaster declaration is reported in the available records, and weather could alter the schedule.
The state’s July 27 status report listed the Aspen Acres Fire at 101,921 acres and 66% containment as of 8 a.m. The reviewed update did not provide newer statewide totals for evacuations, displaced residents, damage or assistance recipients.
Flood threat over burn scars
Flash-flood risk remained elevated Wednesday over the Aspen Acres burn scar, other burn scars and low-lying urban areas. The National Weather Service office in Pueblo said showers and thunderstorms could produce periods of very heavy rain, with the highest risk over the Aspen Acres burn scar. Assessment teams were monitoring conditions, and officials said field work could be revised if weather became unsafe.
A Recovery Assistance Center is open at Beulah Heights Elementary, 2670 Delphinium St. in Pueblo, from noon to 6 p.m. weekdays. Residents can also seek help through Colorado 211, the Colorado Disaster Recovery Hub, county recovery pages and voluntary organizations. The state lists Crisis Cleanup and Airbnb.org transitional housing, with initial stays of up to 10 days for eligible individuals or families; residents should check 211 or county emergency-management information before traveling.