On August 25, 2023 President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. approved Colorado's disaster declaration request and it is formally known as DR4731. The disaster declaration approved the FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program for damages sustained between June 8 - 23, 2023 due to severe storms, flooding and tornadoes. The map below shares the counties that have been approved and included on the left side and the green counties on the right are proposed add on counties.
Map of Counties Approved
- Public Assistance Grant Program approved for the counties below. The program reimburses 75 percent of eligible expenses for state, territory, tribe, local government or private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms between June 8 - 23, 2023. The remaining 25 percent will be split between the state and local jurisdiction at 12.5 percent each.
- Arapahoe
- Baca
- Cheyenne
- Douglas
- El Paso
- Elbert
- Jefferson
- Kit Carson
- Kiowa
- Lincoln
- Logan
- Prowers
- Teller
- Washington
- On September 22 Governor Polis issued an executive order to include Jefferson, Baca, Kiowa, Prowers and Teller counties in the state disaster emergency declared due to extreme weather in June 2023. These counties have not been approved for the federal disaster declaration. All counties were added by FEMA on Oct. 2, 2023 except Jefferson County.
- Press releases related to DR4731 approval:
- White House: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Colorado Disaster Declaration
- FEMA: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for Colorado
- State of Colorado: Governor Polis Releases Statement on White House Disaster Declaration
- Governor Polis Takes Action to Support Recovery Efforts Following Severe Weather and Flooding (September 22, 2023)
Disaster Assistance Program Information
- Public Assistance Grant Program
The deadline to apply for FEMA's Public Assistance program is September 22, 2023 for the initial six counties. The links below share quick guides related to the Public Assistance program. See the DR4731 Calendar of PA Kickoff Meeting dates.
- Applicant Briefing Presentation
- Grants Portal Account and Request for Public Assistance Quick Guide
- Closeout Documentation Checklist
- September 28 Update: FEMA DR-4731 Colorado Green Sheet Document
- FEMA Procurement Methods
- Private Nonprofit Eligible and Ineligible Services
- FEMA Roadmap to Procurement Compliance
- FEMA September 28 Public Notice for DR-4731
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Recovery Program
The SBA is providing support through their disaster loan programs. The press release links below share information on the deadlines and programs.
- October 26, 2023: SBA to Open Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Hugo, Kiowa, Sterling and a Virtual Recovery Center to Help Colorado Businesses Impacted by Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes
- October 25, 2023: SBA Disaster Declaration of Rural Area
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- The counties included in the declaration are El Paso, Elbert, Lincoln and Logan.
- Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) will be open being October 31 with dates available on the DR4731 Calendar.
- Lincoln County DLOC open from October 31 to November 4.
- Elbert County DLOC open from November 6 to November 11. Closed on November 10.
- Logan County DLOC open from November 14 - 18.
- El Paso County DLOC will be virtual.
- September 25, 2023 Press Release: Deadline Approaching in Colorado for SBA Disaster Loans for Property Damage Due to Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
- These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan and Washington counties in Colorado.
- Deadline is October 24, 2023.
- August 28, 2023 Press Release: SBA Disaster Assistance Available to Colorado Private Nonprofit Organizations
- These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Cheyenne, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Kit Carson, and Lincoln counties.
- U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance for businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations.
Local Recovery Resource Links
Click the folders below to find information on local recovery resources for the June 2023 severe storms.
- Cheyenne County
- Douglas County
- Douglas County Website
- Douglas County Community Foundation's Community Emergency Relief Fund Webpage
- Elbert County
- El Paso County
- Kit Carson County
- Lincoln County