Disaster Area Declared for Colorado Following Flooding

President Barack Obama has declared that a major disaster exists in Colorado and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides in early summer.

The Denver Post reported that federal funds are now available to state, tribal and some local governments and certain nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for repair and emergency work as a result of the severe storms in 11 counties throughout the state.

Since 1995 Colorado has had nine major disaster declarations and five emergency declarations. Declarations for the Royal Gorge and Black Forest wildfires and the High Park and Waldo Canyon fires remain open.

El Paso County officials estimate their damage from this spring’s weather was almost $14 million.