FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper and ColoradoUnited.com
DENVER — Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 — U.S. 36 between Lyons and Estes Park will reopen Monday, Nov. 4, several weeks ahead of schedule after National Guard troops from various states and the Colorado Department of Transportation worked around the clock to repair the highway.
“Rebuilding state roadways damaged by the flood is critical to getting people back in their homes and businesses completely reopening,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said. “We are very grateful for the men and women from CDOT, the National Guard and the Colorado State Patrol for their work to repair U.S. 36. Their efforts, along with Larimer and Boulder counties, made it possible to reopen the highway much earlier than expected.”
CDOT crews were joined in recent weeks by Army and Air National Guard troops from Colorado, Montana, Utah and Kansas to repair U.S. 36. Other recovery updates include:
Roadway Recovery on Track
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is reporting steady progress in road recovery:
- On Tuesday, Oct. 29, at an event in Longmont, representatives of the National Guard, the State of Colorado and the local community saluted the partnership that made reopening U.S. 36 early possible. More than 700 attended the event.
- CDOT expects to open U.S. 34 B in Greeley by the end of this week, providing a critical trucking route through northeastern Colorado.
- 78 percent of state and federal roadways are now open, with the remaining on track for opening by Dec. 1.
- U.S. 34 is open from Estes Park to Drake, for local access only.
- U.S. 36 is open from Blue Mountain Road to Apple Valley Road, for local access only.
Recovery Office reports Significant Progress
With nearly 1,500 skilled resources focused on the recovery effort, the Recovery Office reported:
- About 1,000 Lyons residents returned to their homes last weekend, Xcel Energy relit most pilot lights for natural gas, water service was restored to about 90 percent of the town and most of the sewer system is operating.
- FEMA has approved $49 million in Individual Assistance.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $48.7 million in low-interest disaster loans to Colorado homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
- The U.S. Department of Education’s Project SERV has granted $750,000 for flood-impacted Colorado schools to reimburse districts for expenses to return to safe, secure and healthy operations.
- The Colorado Department of Labor & Employment has received a grant of more than $4.6 million in national emergency funds from the U.S Department of Labor. The funds are designated to help people secure jobs related to the recovery effort.
- Fundraising and volunteer efforts gained momentum this past week with more than $10 million raised in support of the Red Cross, United Way and HelpColoradoNow. Two notable events were the Colorado Rising benefit concert featuring Dave Matthews, The Fray and other Colorado Musicians on Oct. 27 and Lakewood High School’s winning Katy Perry’s ROAR contest with proceeds supporting disaster recovery nationwide.
People Access ColoradoUnited.com for Information and Resources
With more than 11,000 visitors since its launch, ColoradoUnited.com continues to provide information and resources about the flood recovery. Subject experts have provided the promised 24-hour response to all inquiries received via the Contact Us page.
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About ColoradoUnited
Gov. John Hickenlooper appointed Jerre Stead, executive chairman of Englewood-based IHS Inc., to be the state’s Chief Recovery Officer. The Recovery Team is focused on making Colorado more innovative, safer and resilient in its infrastructure, community and environment. Go to www.ColoradoUnited.com for more information.
