Colorado Seeks Federal Disaster Declaration for Devastating Wildfires
Colorado has requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government for the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain wildfires. This declaration would unlock FEMA funds for recovery efforts. The Aspen Acres fire, which destroyed over 300 homes in Pueblo and…
Denver, CO, August 23, 2026 —
DENVER, CO – State officials in Colorado have formally requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government to aid in recovery efforts following the destructive Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain wildfires.
The declaration, if approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), would provide crucial federal funding for communities impacted by the blazes.
The Aspen Acres fire, which occurred in Pueblo and Custer counties, is among the most devastating in Colorado’s history, having destroyed over 300 homes. This makes it the second most destructive wildfire event on record for the state.
The Gold Mountain fire, burning nearly 40,000 acres northeast of Ouray, has also caused significant damage and resulted in the tragic death of a wildland firefighting pilot. The specific circumstances surrounding the pilot’s death were not detailed in the summary.
Colorado is seeking both individual assistance, which can help homeowners and renters, and public assistance, which can fund infrastructure repair and emergency protective measures, for the affected counties.
The state’s request comes with the acknowledgment of past challenges in securing federal disaster declarations, referencing a history of denials under the Trump administration. The current administration’s response to this latest request is pending.
Further details regarding the exact timeline for FEMA’s review and decision were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Caitlyn Kim on www.cpr.org, see more information here.
