In October, flooding in western Colorado caused over $13,000,000 in damage to public infrastructure and prompted temporary evacuations for hundreds of residents. Now, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is asking President Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue a major disaster declaration to help the affected communities recover.

DENVER — Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday requested a major disaster declaration that would bring federal relief funding to southwestern Colorado in the wake of last month’s catastrophic flooding.

Stepping up in response to October's devastating floods, Governor Polis has officially enshrined his verbal disaster declaration into an Executive Order. With western Colorado communities battered by the recent deluge, the governor's move isn't just symbolic—it comes with the power of the state's Emergency Operations Plan and a significant financial commitment. As part of the order, the Office of Emergency Management has been given a green light to take decisive action, not only in aiding those affected by the flooding but also in laying the groundwork for recovery.