FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper
Micki Trost, 303-472-4087 c, micki.trost@state.co.us
Eric Brown, 303-547-5308 c, eric.brown@state.co.us
President approves disaster assistance for Royal Gorge Fire
DENVER — Friday, July 26, 2013 — The Federal Emergency Management Agency notified Gov. John Hickenlooper today that Colorado’s request for a major disaster declaration related to the Royal Gorge Fire in Fremont County was approved by President Barack Obama.
A similar request for the Black Forest Fire in El Paso County is still pending.
“We are grateful for the federal support in the wake the Royal Gorge Fire and other fires this summer,” Hickenlooper said. “This assistance will help Coloradans recover and begin to rebuild some of what was lost.”
The disaster declaration triggers the release of federal funds to help individuals and communities. Specifically, the federal government will provide assistance:
- for unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of the major disaster and who are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance;
- for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities; and
- for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
Coloradans interested in applying for assistance or receiving more information should contact the Colorado Office of Emergency Management at 720-852-6697 or Coemergency.com.
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