On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Gov. Jared Polis formally requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support ongoing recovery efforts in La Plata, Archuleta and Mineral counties following the record-breaking western Colorado flooding that occurred Oct. 10-14.
This declaration would unlock FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding to help communities recover from severe flooding, debris flows, infrastructure damage and long-term watershed impacts.
“Heavy rains unleashed historic flooding across southwestern Colorado, overwhelming rivers, destroying roads and bridges, and damaging critical water and wastewater infrastructure. Today, I am formally requesting federal FEMA support to supplement our ongoing recovery efforts. Damage from these floods has devastated families, local economies and essential public systems. Colorado is asking the federal government to join us in partnership so we can help La Plata, Archuleta and Mineral counties recover as quickly and safely as possible,” Polis said.
Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency on Oct. 12, activating the State Emergency Operations Plan and authorizing initial state support. This was later memorialized in Executive Order D 2025 021, which unlocked $6 million in state funding for flood response and recovery.
The state sent field and emergency operations personnel to all three counties and led extensive damage assessments alongside local partners.
Local jurisdictions declared their own emergencies beginning Oct. 11 and requested state assistance as hundreds of homes were threatened or inundated, levees broke and roadways washed out across the region. Despite this damage, thankfully no fatalities or injuries were reported.
“Last month, Southwest Colorado experienced record-breaking and devastating flooding. I strongly support Governor Polis’ request for federal assistance in La Plata County, Archuleta County and Mineral County as they navigate this recovery. These communities are already facing the disastrous impacts of one of the worst fire seasons in our state’s history, and without additional support they could experience unsafe drinking water, difficulty accessing their homes and businesses, and ongoing hazards from the floods. I am urging the president to declare a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration immediately,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.
“October’s flooding reshaped entire communities in just a matter of days. It’s now critical for the federal government to stand with the people of La Plata, Archuleta and Mineral counties as they rebuild. The president fulfilling this disaster declaration will deliver critical help at a moment when rural Colorado needs it most,” said U.S. Congressman Jeff Hurd.
“La Plata County is grateful for Governor Polis’ action seeking to unlock FEMA resources to help repair the public infrastructure affected by the October flooding events in Southwest Colorado. The storms caused significant damage to county roads and bridges that provide essential access to our communities and ensuring their safety going forward is of critical concern to the county. Gov. Polis’ request for FEMA support for this vital and unanticipated work is much needed and appreciated,” said Marsha Porter-Norton, chair of the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners.
“Archuleta County has been involved in two declared emergencies over the course of the last 90 days. On Oct. 11, Archuleta County sustained unprecedented flooding due to tropical storm Priscilla and 36 hours later, tropical storm Raymond. Individually each storm accounted for the third and fourth highest ever recorded events since 1911, with 1927 being the most recent prior highest flood event. As a resilient county with limited resources and funding available, we are truly grateful for the support that Governor Polis has shown us in the last few months. We strongly support the governor’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration to unlock FEMA support and federal assistance to augment Archuleta County’s recovery efforts,” said Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux.
FEMA has validated $13,820,036 in damages to public infrastructure, with the vast majority impacting Category C: Roads and Bridges, where more than 60 miles of road and associated culverts, drainage structures, and embankments were destroyed or severely compromised.
Additional verified damages include widespread debris removal needs; significant impacts to water control facilities such as the Big Meadows Reservoir; major sewer system failures in Pagosa Springs and the San Juan River Village Metro District; and severe damage to parks, riverwalks and recreation infrastructure that support local economies.
Damage totals are expected to rise as further assessments continue.
The western Colorado flooding destroyed or damaged essential drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, including near-total sewer system failures in the Pagosa Springs area. Floodwaters breached levees, triggered evacuations for nearly 400 homes, prompted multiple boil-water advisories and caused at least 11 high-water rescues by local first responders.
Rivers reached historic levels — including the San Juan River’s third-highest crest since 1911 — and debris flows, sediment deposits and rechanneling of waterways have created long-term risks for residents living along Vallecito Creek, the Piedra River and the San Juan River basin.
Due to these cascading and ongoing hazards, the state is also requesting activation of the HMGP, which would support slope stabilization, erosion control, debris basin construction, hardening of critical infrastructure and updated early-warning systems to protect communities from repeated flooding events.
Legislators urge
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Colorado U.S. Sens. Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and Colorado U.S. Reps. Hurd, Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Jason Crow, Diana DeGette, Gabe Evans, Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen sent a letter in support of Polis’ request to Trump for a presidential major disaster declaration and activation of public assistance for La Plata County, Archuleta County and Mineral County in response to the historic and devastating flooding that began in mid-October.
“Communities throughout La Plata County, Archuleta County, and Mineral County have suffered significant damage and losses as a result of heavy rainfall and severe, record-breaking flooding, including debris and mud flows that occurred from October 11 through October 14, 2025. These events destroyed homes, businesses, and private property, and caused extensive damage to wastewater systems and miles of county roads,” wrote the lawmakers.
The letter continues, “Successful recovery is essential to restoring the County’s [sic] economy, which has already faced a devastating fire season in addition to the catastrophic effects of flooding on infrastructure and private property. Without additional support, residents could face drinking water disruptions, unsafe homes and businesses, and challenges accessing their property. In addition, residents are facing ongoing hazards from the flooding, including dangerous debris, and threats to water quality and drinking water infrastructure,” continued the lawmakers.
In the letter, the lawmakers stress that the historic flooding destroyed public and private property, in addition to causing extensive damage to wastewater systems and miles of county roads. They underscore that Southwest Colorado needs federal assistance to recover.
A presidential major disaster declaration unlocks additional loans, insurance relief and other critical assistance.
This is the second presidential major disaster declaration request from Polis that the full Congressional Colorado Delegation has supported. Trump has not yet responded to Polis’ major disaster declaration request for the Lee and Elk fires in Colorado during August.
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