Reporting by James Bartolo, Pueblo Chieftain
Colorado secured a Major Disaster Declaration for the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires earlier this month, but additional portions of the state’s request were recently denied by the federal government.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds outlined in Colorado’s Major Disaster Declaration request for Aspen Acres Fire recovery funding, according to a Sept. 18 news release from Gov. Jared Polis’ office.
The individual assistance funds would have assisted impacted individuals with housing needs, while the hazard mitigation funds would’ve assisted rebuilding communities in reducing future vulnerability.
Despite those portions of the request being denied, Colorado still has access to infrastructure repair and debris cleanup funds in the area impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire through the public assistance program included in the request.
“The recent approval of Colorado’s Major Disaster Declaration request was the important first step to clear debris and allow communities to begin the process to recover,” Polis said in the release. “I am disappointed that Colorado was denied these additional portions of our request that would have further supported impacted families and communities.
“However, the state is already hard at work coordinating debris cleanup with local governments,” he said. “The state is evaluating Colorado’s options and next steps following the denial of these additional resources.”
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper issued a statement in the aftermath of the denial, calling on the federal government to change course.
“The Trump administration should reverse this decision,” Hickenlooper said. “Requests for individual assistance and hazard mitigation grants are not made frivolously. These resources are what’s needed to help Colorado families and communities recover and prevent future tragedies. We will continue standing with those impacted by these horrific fires and do everything we can to support them in their hour of need.”
Colorado has the opportunity to appeal the federal government’s denial within 30 days, if the state determines an appeal is warranted.
Pueblo County lifts restrictions nearly three months after fire
Pueblo County’s Stage 1 fire restrictions were recently lifted by Sheriff David Lucero. Lucero’s decision followed consultation with area fire chiefs and the U.S. Forest Service’s decision to lift the Pike-San Isabel National Forest’s fire restrictions on Sept. 17.
Stage 2 fire restrictions were imposed with the onset of the Aspen Acres Fire on June 29. Those restrictions were reduced to Stage 1 on Aug. 20 and were lifted entirely on Sept. 18.
“Lifting fire restrictions means Pueblo County residents can have outdoor fires for yard debris, agricultural needs, and recreation,” PCSO officials said in a news release. “Smokers are encouraged to use caution and safely extinguish all smoking materials.”
“Sheriff Lucero urges all residents to remain cautious when using fire and to follow all notification rules that exist in Pueblo County regarding burning, including no burning when Red Flag warnings are issued,” the release states.
Where things stand with the Aspen Acres Fire recovery
The Aspen Acres Fire began near the Aspen Acres campground in Custer County on June 29 and remains active. The fire was determined to be human-caused, which essentially only rules out natural causes like lightning, but its exact cause and origin have not yet been released by fire investigators.
No deaths or civilian injuries were reported in the blaze, but one person — 80-year-old Henry Humphreys — was killed in subsequent flash flooding in the burn scar area in Beulah.
The fire destroyed 324 homes across Pueblo and Custer counties, making it Colorado’s most fifth-most destructive wildfire of all time in terms of homes lost, and the state’s most destructive since the 2021 Marshall Fire.
The Aspen Acres Fire is also the seventh-largest in state history, having burned 102,004 acres as of the most recent update from fire officials.
Around 11,600 residents across Pueblo, Custer, and Fremont counties were evacuated at the height of the fire, which was 82% contained as of Sept. 18.
The second fire for which Colorado sought disaster funding, the Gold Mountain Fire, began June 27 northeast of Ouray. It has burned 39,744 acres and is 92% contained.
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain.
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