Polis requests at least $27 million in federal aid for southern Colorado floods

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Saturday requested $27 million in federal aid from President Donald Trump to help repair public property after floods tore through parts of southern Colorado last weekend. 

The total includes early damage assessments from Archuleta and Rio Grande counties, two of 12 listed in the state’s disaster emergency declarations, for storms between Oct. 22-25. Assessments are still ongoing, and the state’s request is likely to grow, Polis said in an interview with The Colorado Sun on Saturday. 

“There’s many forms of disaster assistance. This is one of the bigger ones because it’s sort of general public infrastructure,” Polis said. “The final amount I’m confident will be much higher than $27 million, but we are filing with that to get this moving and approved.”

The state is requesting funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s public assistance and hazard mitigation grant program for Archuleta and Rio Grande counties. Damage from other counties will be added once assessments are complete.

If granted, FEMA will match 75% of the cost to repair damaged water and waste systems, county roads, dams and other public property while aiming to reduce the risk of more damage in future floods. 

Assistance for individuals and private property is not included in the request. The first option for homeowners is always insurance, Polis said. 

The timeline for federal approval is uncertain. It’s Trump’s job to consider major disaster declaration requests, and the president has no timeframe or deadline to respond to Colorado’s request.

Another round of precipitation is already hitting the same region, with expected rain, snow and flood risk through Monday.

This is a developing story and will be updated.