Roach Fire Update: August 30

The Roach Fire is estimated at 125 acres with 50% containment. The change in size is due to better mapping yesterday. Firefighters made good progress yesterday and will continue with line building and mop up activities today.

It is located in the Old Roach area in the northwest portion of Larimer County, approximately four miles west northwest of Hohnholtz Lake. It is three miles south of the Colorado-Wyoming line. The fire is burning in the Roosevelt National Forest and no structures are currently threatened, with the closest structure six miles away.

Seven fire engines are on scene, along with a bulldozer, a water tender and five 20-person crews. A type 3 helicopter, a type 2 helicopter and air attack are on the fire today. Two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) are available if needed. Approximately 130 people are working on the fire. There is good access in the area.

Forest Service Road 203 is closed and there is heavy firefighting traffic in the area. Visitors are asked to be cautious, especially with the upcoming holiday weekend.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. It is burning in lodgepole pine in a mountain pine beetle hit area, with 50-70% mortality.

Information provided by Larimer County Emergency Blog at www.larimer.org

Colorado Wildfire Report: August 29

About this report: This daily wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires, over 100 acres, for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents.

Roach Fire

Fire Jurisdiction:   USFS Roosevelt National Forest

Location/County:  Northwest portion of Larimer County, approximately three miles south of the Wyoming state line.

Start Date: August 28, 2012

Cause: Under investigation

Acres: 250 acres

Containment: 10% Contained

Evacuations: none reported

Closures:  none reported

Fatalities/Injuries to Date: none reported

Structures Lost/Damaged: No structures threatened at this time

Significant Events:   The fire is burning in lodge pole pine in a mountain pine beetle hit area.  The information line for the fire is 970-498-1030.

Resources: 100 personnel are working the fire.  Seven fire engines are on scene, one bulldozer, a water tender and three 20-person crews. Three Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT), a type 3 helicopter, a type 2 helicopter, a heavy air tanker and air attack are also on scene.  Two 20 person hand crews have been ordered for today. There is good access in the area.

Source(s): USFS press release, WebEOC, USFS Canyon Lakes Forest District Official Twitter Account

Today’s Fire Outlook

Rocky Mountain Area remains at Preparedness Level 3. National Preparedness Level is 4.

The highest level possible is a 5. This rating indicates highly complex large fire activity is occurring, with multiple large fires in the zone. Fire severity is extreme as reported in multiple areas, and fires are escaping initial attack, as evident by the number of large fires. Multiple regional dispatch centers are experiencing an incident requiring type-1 or type-2 teams, and a majority of zone resources are committed. 

Monthly Seasonal Outlook from the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center:  http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at:  https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4

Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Colorado: 

·         Fire Weather Watch for the following Colorado counties:  Logan, North and Northeast Elbert, North Lincoln, Philips, Sedgwick, Southeast Elbert, South Lincoln, Washington, Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Yuma

·         Red Flag Warnings for the following Colorado counties:  Central and East Adams and Araphahoe, Morgan, Northeast Weld, Logan, North and Northeast Elbert County, North Lincoln, Philips, Sedgwick, Southeast Elbert, South Lincoln, Washington, Baca, Bent, Crowley, Eastern las Animas, Otero, Prowers, Kiowa, Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Yuma

For more information go to http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php. 

Important Note: Information on current and future Colorado wildfires can be obtained from the following websites, which are updated regularly during incidents:

·         INCIWEB:  http://www.inciweb.org/state/6/

·         Colorado Office of Emergency Management: http://www.coemergency.com/

·         Current Map of Colorado Fires by COEM: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215563989566450268982.0004c328de8016253230a&msa=0&ll=40.446947,-105.908203&spn=13.068198,19.753418

·         Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/links/fire_info/index.html

·         US Forest Service Active Fire Map:  http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php

Purchase Flood Insurance: Exception Deadline for High Park Fire is August 28

Residents in the High Park Fire area must purchase flood insurance by midnight on August 28 to be eligible for the exception of the 30-day wait period normally required for new flood insurance policies.

Contact your home insurance agent for information on purchasing a flood insurance policy today.

OEM Weekly Update: August 24

Colorado Office of Emergency Management Weekly Update:  August 24

Articles included in this newsletter are:

• Colorado Vigilant Guard Exercise 2013
• Save the Date:  2013 Colorado Emergency Management Conference
• FEMA's National Preparedness Month Campaign
• Pueblo City-County Health Department Needs Volunteers
• Denver Citizens Emergency Response Trainings
• Job Announcements
• Pride & Ownership:  A Firefighters love for the job presentation
• Social Media Article on the Five Steps of Crisis Communication
• Training Information

Colorado Emergency Management Conference Dates for 2013

The Annual Colorado Emergency Management Conference will be held February 26-28, 2013.

Save the date on your calendars now.  Look for more information to be posted on both the www.COEmergency.com website and the CEMA website at http://www.cemacolorado.com/.

The Silent Auction will return to the 2013 conference.  CEMA will be sending out additional information on this portion of the conference in the near future.

High Park Landowners Eligible for $500,000 in Financial Aid from USDA: #HighParkFire

Application Deadline is September 3 for Financial Aid and Technical Assistance through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program to help High Park Fire landowners

 

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering $500,000 in financial and technical assistance through its Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) to help landowners who are affected by the recent High Park Fire.

Conservation practices that are available under this special program are:

• Critical Area Planting (native grass seeding to reduce erosion)
• Dike
• Filter Strip (to reduce sedimentation in riparian areas)
• Grade Stabilization Structure
• Herbaceous Weed Control (chemical control of noxious weeds)
• Mulching (certified weed-free straw or chipping of burned dead trees on site)
• Clearing and Snagging
• Riparian Forest Buffer
• Stream Habitat Improvement & Management
• Sediment Control Basin
• Underground Outlet
• Terrace (log erosion barriers, straw wattles)
•  

To be eligible to apply for the WHIP funding the applicant must have control of the land to be treated for the contract period.  Control is defined as possession of the land by ownership, written lease, or other legal agreement.  Increased payments are available for eligible socially disadvantaged landowners in addition to beginning and limited resource farmers or ranchers and Indian tribes.

WHIP is a voluntary program for conservation-minded landowners who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat on agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land, and Tribal land.

Private landowners impacted by the High Park Fire and interested in receiving assistance through WHIP can contact Todd Boldt, District Conservationist, NRCS Fort Collins Field Office at 970-215-9897 or by email at todd.boldt@co.usda.gov or in person at the field office at 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Ft. Collins, CO.  

Additional program requirements and information about WHIP is available on the Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service website at www.co.nrcs.usda.gov.

Teller County Added to Colorado Disaster Declaration

Joint Press Release from the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that Teller County has now been added to the June 28, 2012 presidential major disaster declaration for the Colorado fires.

Federal Coordinating Officer Gary Stanley of FEMA said, “At the request of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, FEMA has now made Teller County eligible for reimbursement for disaster related emergency protective measures related to the Waldo Canyon fire.”

President Obama declared the Waldo Canyon fire in El Paso County and the High Park fire in Larimer County a major disaster June 28, 2012.  At that time, reimbursement for eligible, disaster related emergency protective measures and disaster unemployment assistance and crisis counseling were approved for those burn areas.

The State of Colorado's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and FEMA is contacting Teller County government entities and certain non profits about procedures to qualify for this assistance.

The assistance is provided under FEMA’s  Public Assistance Program.  This program can provide grants to local governments, state agencies and certain non profits for eligible, disaster related expenses.

Additional Public Assistance Program determinations are under consideration.

FEMA pays no less than 75 percent of the eligible costs.  The non federal share is made up of local resources.  The state administers the program.

Colorado counties with a current and adopted local hazard mitigation plan are eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Request for Wildfire Operations Personnel

There is an immediate need for middle management positions in the operations section including division group supervisors and heavy equipment bosses. This is due to the fire activity and fire fighting resource needs in the Great Basin area and other parts of the county. Wildfire conditions are expected to remain high or increase through the remainder of the summer according to the National Association of State Foresters.

The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control has been asked to communicate the request to make those employees with critically needed qualifications available for national dispatch.  As a reminder, ROSS is the system of use for this situation.  Available resources should already have an approved CRFF, already be in IQS, and already be in ROSS.  The resources should then status themselves accordingly.

If you have any questions, please contact Vaughn Jones, Deputy Chief of Wildland Fire Operations, Division of Fire Prevention and Control at: vaughn.jones@cdps.state.co.us.

Read the National Association of State Foresters request for assistance.

OEM Weekly Update: August 13

Office of Emergency Management Weekly Update:  August 13, 2012

Information included this week includes:

• Colorado Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Map 
• 2012 Colorado Fire Relief Fund Deadline Information
• September National Preparedness Month Information
•  Social Media Survey from NEMA and CNA
• 2012 LEPC Conference
• FEMA Youth Preparedness Council Holds Inaugural Meeting
• Job Announcements
• Educational Resources
• Disaster Recovery Materials for your Community: Drought Focused
• Poll Shows Many Americans Not prepared for Disasters
• Training Information

2012 Colorado Fire Relief Fund Deadline Approaching on August 15

2012 Colorado Fire Relief Fund  Application Guidelines for Organizations

An Important Note about Application Deadlines on August 15

Because of the urgency associated with this funding process, the turn-around time for
submitting applications is short. Therefore, please note the following deadlines for submitting
an application for funding through the 2012 Colorado Fire Relief Fund:

• For applicants seeking funding for High Park fire recovery efforts:  Applications for projects related to this fire will be considered on a rolling basis, starting
  August 1. Applications will be accepted and processed as they are received.
• For applicants seeking funding for Waldo Canyon fire recovery efforts and other fires across Colorado: Applications for projects related to these fires are due by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012.

More detailed information about the Colorado Fire Relief Fund and the application process is
included below.

About the 2012 Colorado Fire Relief Fund

The Colorado Fire Relief Fund (the Fund) has been established by Governor John Hickenlooper
to provide private funding to support meeting unmet intermediate needs for individuals,
families, community organizations, and volunteer fire departments affected by the devastating
wildfires occurring across Colorado during 2012. All of the funding to be awarded through the
Fund has been raised from private sources including generous individuals, businesses, and
foundations.

Governor Hickenlooper has appointed the chief executive officers from eight community
foundations across Colorado to serve as the Allocation Board for this fund. The Allocation
Board is responsible for setting funding priorities, developing an application process, ensuring
that grant awards made through the Fund meet the highest community needs, and overseeing
the final approval of all grant awards made under the Fund. Local Allocation Committees,
overseen by the Allocation Board, will review all grant applications for the fires affecting
Larimer County and the Pikes Peak region and will make funding recommendations to the
Allocation Board. For smaller fires affecting other communities across Colorado, the
Allocation Board will review and consider applications, seeking local input to help in making
decisions that are most in line with community needs.

The majority of the funding will be awarded to the communities affected by the High Park and
Waldo Canyon fires, with a smaller amount of funding available to communities affected by
other smaller fires occurring across Colorado during 2012. A portion of the Fund will also be
used to help volunteer fire departments across Colorado replenish their supplies and will be
awarded through a separate allocation process. The Denver Foundation, a community
foundation serving the seven-county metro Denver area, is administering the Fund.

Funding Priorities

The Colorado Fire Relief Fund Allocation Board will prioritize awarding grants that help meet
the intermediate unmet needs of individuals and families whose lives were seriously affected by
the wildfires, support rebuilding communities, and support volunteer fire departments in
compensating volunteer fire fighters for loss of income. Support for volunteer fire departments
for replenishing depleted supplies will take place through a separate allocation process under
this Fund and volunteer fire departments should not use this application process to apply for
support for such needs.

For this round of awards, grants will be distributed to 501(c)(3) organizations, local
governmental entities, and local volunteer fire departments. No grants will be made to
individuals or for-profit entities. For the purposes of these grant guidelines, intermediate needs
generally means projects that will be completed in their entirety in less than six months.
Programs and projects falling into the following three general categories will be given priority
for funding, with some specific examples of possible programs and projects described below:

Meeting Human Needs

Providing case management and direct services to help individuals and families directly
impacted by the fires meet basic human needs, including food, shelter, and safety.
Preference will be given to applicants proposing to provide services to low-income
individuals, individuals from other vulnerable populations, and those with uninsured
losses.

Providing education, case management, and direct services to help individuals and
families navigate the systems related to rebuilding their homes and re-establishing their
lives.

Providing mental health and counseling services to individuals, families, and children
directly impacted by the fires. Applicants applying for funding under this category
should demonstrate in their application how they will meet a need not covered by
FEMA’s Crisis Counseling Program if that program will be available in your community.

Providing grants to organizations that will oversee the process of providing direct
financial assistance to individuals and families who have incurred significant damage to or
loss of their primary place of residence and have critical needs for food, shelter, safety,
or clean-up caused by the fire. Preference will be given to applicants proposing to
provide services to low-income individuals, individuals from other vulnerable
populations, and those with uninsured losses.

Rebuilding Communities

Helping restore access to important community programs and services.

Support for local efforts to coordinate rebuilding and recovery from the fires.

Fire clean-up and debris removal, especially for vulnerable populations including the
elderly, disabled individuals, low-income individuals, and other underserved
communities.

Forest and watershed restoration efforts that can be completed in less than six months.

Supporting Volunteer Firefighters

Organizations providing direct financial assistance to reimburse volunteer fire fighters
for loss of income, up to $2,500 per individual, resulting from their efforts in fighting
fires covered under this fund. This applies only to those volunteer firefighters not
certified to be paid by the National Forest Service or those without temporary
unemployment insurance.

Programs and Projects that Will Not be Funded through the Fire Relief Fund

These grant guidelines have been designed to be flexible and broad because the most critical
needs for funding will vary from community to community. There are, however, some types of
programs and projects that will not be funded through the Fund, including the following:

While some of the funding to organizations awarded through this process may provide
financial assistance to individuals and families to meet needs critical around food, shelter,
safety, or clean-up, grants through this Fund will not be used to totally or substantially
compensate homeowners and renters for their losses.

Funding to help compensate organizations, businesses, or communities for losses in
revenue incurred as a result of a wildfire.

Funding to support previously completed activities, like responding to the wildfires and
providing immediate assistance to victims, firefighters, and evacuees.

Eligible Organizations 

501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations in good standing with the IRS,
volunteer fire departments across Colorado, and local
governmental entities.

Award Amounts 

The minimum grant size through this fund will be $2,500. We
anticipate that most grants will fall between $2,500 and $50,000,
although no maximum request or award amount has been set.

Award Duration 

Because the purpose of these grant awards is to meet the
intermediate needs of the individuals, families, and communities
affected by devastating wildfires occurring during 2012, any grant
awarded through this fund should be used in its entirety within six
months of the grant award. Shorter project timelines are also
entirely acceptable.

Multiple Applications 

Applicants can submit more than one application for projects that
are substantially different in nature. A complete application
packet is required for each separate application.

Application Process 

For applicants seeking funding for High Park fire recovery
efforts: 

Applications for this fire will be considered on a rolling
basis, starting August 1. Applications will be accepted and
processed as they are received. Applicants should submit the
required cover sheet, responses to the narrative questions below,
and the required attachments to firefund@denverfoundation.org.

For applicants seeking funding for Waldo Canyon fire
recovery and other fires across Colorado: 

Applicants should submit the required cover sheet, responses to the narrative
questions below, and the required attachments to
firefund@denverfoundation.org by 5:00 pm on Wednesday,
August 15, 2012.

For ALL applicants:

Only electronic applications will be accepted. We strongly
encourage applicants to submit their applications in a single
PDF document. All submitted documents should be
formatted to be printed on letter-size paper (8.5” x 11”).
Applications that are substantially out of compliance with these
guidelines or late may be removed from consideration. All
applicants will receive a written email confirmation after the
application is received.

Reporting 

All Fund awardees will be required to submit a final report using
the Colorado Common Grant Report format and a complete
financial accounting of how the grant was used within 30 days of
completing the grant and no later than seven months after the
grant award date. The report due date will be specified in the
grant contract for all grant awardees.

Questions 

Questions about the Fund and the application process should be
directed to Sarah Marino-Fischler, Fire Relief Fund Project
Manager, at firefund@denverfoundation.org or 303-243-4783.

Decision-Making Criteria

The Local Allocation Committees and Allocation Board will make their funding decisions based
upon how well each application meets the following criteria:

Ability to meet unmet intermediate needs related to a wildfire occurring in Colorado
during 2012.

Organizational capacity to accomplish the proposed activities.

Alignment with the funding priorities identified in these guidelines.

Evidence of coordination between local organizations to help reduce duplication and
ensure greater effectiveness in program and project implementation.

Preference will be given to organizations that have an established presence in the
regions in which they will be providing services.

Timeline for Grant Awards

July 31:      Guidelines are released
August 15: Applications due for all fires except High Park, which are being considered on a rolling basis
September 14: First round of grant awards announced

Colorado 2012 Fire Relief Fund Grant Application

The complete grant guidelines and a fillable version of this Word document is available on The Denver Foundation’s website at http://www.denverfoundation.org/community/page/fire-relief-fund.

Deadlines:

For applicants seeking funding for High Park fire recovery efforts: Applications for
projects related to this fire will be considered on a rolling basis, starting August 1. Applications will be accepted and processed as they are received.

For applicants seeking funding for Waldo Canyon fire recovery efforts and other
fires across Colorado: Applications for projects related to these fires are due by 5:00 pm on
Wednesday, August 15, 2012.

Guidelines for Blog Comments: August 2012

Welcome to the Colorado Office of Emergency Management's (OEM) official page where you will find the most recent news stories, videos, photos, podcasts and content distributed by the OEM.

While this limited forum allows for comments and postings, OEM imposes limits on comments and postings. OEMt intends this limited forum to be family friendly, so please make your comments and posts consistent with that standard.  In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here.  If you don't comply, your message will be removed. We do not allow comments that we judge to be obscene, abusive, hateful, defamatory or which invade or violate the privacy rights of others;  

• You should continue the theme of the blog/posting and remain “on topic”;
• We do not allow promotional postings, solicitations, links or advertisements.  This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial, or nonprofit nongovernmental entity or agency. 
• We do not allow comments that promote violence or the violation of any federal, state, or local law, regulation or ordinance; 
• We do not allow the posting of any link or application that would damage or harm anyone’s computer or software; 
• We urge all comments to be original opinions of the poster and we do not allow comments that violate copyrights or registered trademarks or are unrelated to the topic of a discussion.

You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Also, the appearance of external links on this site does not constitute endorsement on behalf of  OEM. 

Contact Micki Trost, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Public Information Officer, at micki.trost@state.co.us with any questions.

Colorado Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Map

The Colorado Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Map was updated at the end of July 2012.  The Office of Emergency Management now shows 64% of Colorado Counties with approved mitigation plans.

East Coal Creek Fire Grows to 100 Acres

Information from the Montrose Interagency Fire Management Unit Public Information Officer

The East Coal Creek Fire, located approximately 17 miles west of Gunnison, is burning in the West Elk Wilderness on National Forest System lands. This lightning-caused fire was reported on Friday (8/10) at 5:00 p.m. On Saturday, the East Coal Creek Fire showed minimal growth potential; however the fire has grown to an estimated 100 acres today due to changing weather conditions.

The East Coal Creek Fire is burning in an area dominated by Douglas fir and numerous beetle-killed trees. The fire is in extremely difficult terrain on a NW facing slope and is moving north and west – further into the West Elk Wilderness. The East Coal Creek fire is burning towards the 2008 West Elk Fire. There are no threats to life or property at this time. Smoke is visible along Hwy 50 west of Gunnison.

Keeping the public and firefighters safe is always our first concern. Our commitment to safety is reflected in every fire management activity. Due to the difficult terrain and concerns for firefighter safety, the East Coal Creek Fire is a full suppression wildfire with modified tactics. Fire managers have ordered additional resources to assist with the fire including one air attack, one Type 2 helicopter, and one Type 1 hand crew – which are expected to arrive tomorrow.

East Coal Creek Fire Stats:

Reported:           August 10, 5:18 p.m.

Cause:                  Lightning  

Size:                      100 acres

Evacuations:      None  

For information on wildfires and restrictions in the area, call the MIFMU Fire Information line (970.240.1070), visit the MIFMU website (http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2mtc/), or follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/MIFMU).

The Montrose Interagency Fire Management Unit covers the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest (USFS), the Gunnison Field Office (BLM), the Uncompahgre Field Office (BLM), Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (NPS), Curecanti National Recreation Area (NPS), and public lands in the counties of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel.  

Northwest Colorado Wildland Fire Updates

Information provided by the BLM Kremmling Field Office Public Information Officer

Cathedral Fire

The Cathedral Fire is located in Rio Blanco County, southeast of Rangely, about 10 miles east of State Highway 139 and 5 miles north of the Piceance State Wildlife Area. It was reported on August 8th and is holding at 40 acres in Pinion, Juniper, grass and brush. Today, there were 5 engines, 3 hand crews and a helicopter fighting this fire. There is one ranch threatened by this fire containing several structures of various sizes.

Puddin Ridge Fire

The Puddin Ridge Fire in Garfield County about 15 miles southeast of the Cathedral fire was also reported on August 8th and is 3 acres. It is in grass and brushy vegetation and is being fought by the Pike Hot Shot crew and a helicopter.

Both of these fires were caused by lightning and neither have had any injuries.

Wolf Fire

The Wolf Fire is 100% contained and 6,100 acres. The cause of the fire was lightning. The estimated cost of fighting the fire is $525,000.

Although many fire restrictions in the area have been reduced or eliminated, fire danger remains high.

Additional information on Northwest Colorado Fires can be obtained at:
Fire Information Line: 970-826-5108
Twitter Feed: @NWCOFireUnit

Ditch Creek Fire Update: August 9

Ditch Creek Fire Information
- Approximately 80 acres
- Located 5 miles North West of Beuleh in Custer County on USFS land
- Resources on the fire include: Two Type II crews, Four SEATs, one Type I Heavy Helicopter, and one Light Helicopter.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Colorado Residents And Businesses Affected by Wildfires, Subsequent Flooding and Mudslides in El Paso and Larimer Counties

Sacramento, CA – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Colorado residents and business owners affected by wildfires, subsequent flooding and mudslides in El Paso and Larimer Counties that began June 9, 2012 announced U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills.  SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following the denial on August 6 of the state’s request for a major disaster declaration.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the primary Colorado counties of El Paso and Larimer and the neighboring Colorado counties of Boulder, Crowley, Douglas, Elbert, Fremont, Grand, Jackson, Lincoln, Pueblo, Teller and Weld; and the neighboring Wyoming counties of Albany and Laramie.

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Colorado with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for residents and businesses affected by the disaster,” said Mills.  “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” said SBA’s Colorado District Director Greg Lopez.  “Beginning at 9 am on Wednesday, August 8, SBA representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Lopez continued.  The centers will be open on the days and times indicated until further notice.  No appointment is necessary.

EL PASO COUNTY SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center 6840 Centennial Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Opens 9 am, Wednesday, August 8 Mondays through Fridays Hours:  9 am to 6 pm

LARIMER COUNTY SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center Foothills Mall (Former Mervyns’ Store) 235 East Foothills Parkway Fort Collins, CO 80525 Opens 9 am, Wednesday, August 8 Mondays through Fridays Hours: 9 am to 6 pm

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. 

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. 

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is October 9, 2012.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 7, 2013.

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