Follow-Up: Colorado Governor Requests Federal Major Disaster Declaration: Public Infrastructure Damage From Southwest Flooding Estimated at $27 Million
Colorado Governor Jared Polis formally requested on October 31 that President Donald Trump issue a Major Disaster Declaration for the storms and flooding that struck southwest Colorado from October 22 to 25. The initial request focuses on Archuleta and Rio Grande counties, with public infrastructure damage estimated at about $27 million and expected to rise.
If approved, the declaration would unlock Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funding for repairs to roads, bridges and public facilities. Polis had already declared a state disaster emergency covering multiple counties, including Alamosa, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Ouray, San Juan and Conejos. The Colorado Department of Transportation has separately submitted a $65 million request to the Federal Highway Administration, including $6.5 million sought as a rapid release.
Polis said the flood damage exceeds what state and local resources can address alone. He added that Colorado will not wait for the federal process to begin repairs and that restoration of damaged roads and public facilities will proceed on the state's schedule, with a federal declaration providing funding support for the longer-term rebuild.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Pagosa Springs的San Juan河温泉岩池（资料图）。CC BY-SA 4.0，Netherzone摄，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / San Juan River hot springs at Pagosa Springs, Colorado (file photo). CC BY-SA 4.0, by Netherzone, via Wikimedia Commons.
