Colorado Leaders Urge Trump to Reverse Disaster Aid Denials for Wildfires and Floods

Federal Aid Denied for Colorado Disasters

Colorado Governor Jared Polis, alongside U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, has publicly urged President Donald Trump to reverse the recent denial of federal disaster declarations for the state. The denials, issued late Saturday night, pertain to requests for aid following significant wildfires and widespread flooding that impacted Colorado earlier this year. The state's leaders contend that the federal assistance is crucial for communities to recover from the extensive damage.

Impact of Wildfires and Flooding

The denied requests sought federal support for two distinct natural disaster events. In August, the Elk and Lee fires ravaged Rio Blanco County, with the Lee fire alone burning over 150,000 acres and becoming the fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado's history. Governor Polis had declared a disaster emergency for the Elk Fire on August 3, later expanding it to include the Lee Fire on August 6.

Later, in October, Southwestern Colorado experienced 'historic flooding,' particularly affecting La Plata, Archuleta, and Mineral counties between October 11 and 14. This flooding caused substantial damage, including the destruction of homes and businesses, severe impacts on wastewater systems, and extensive damage to county roads. Governor Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency on October 12, which was formalized by Executive Order D 2025 021, releasing $6 million in state funding for flood response and recovery.

Colorado's Appeal and White House Response

Governor Polis submitted a formal request for wildfire recovery support in September and a separate request for flood assistance in November, specifically on November 12, 2025. Both requests were for Presidential Major Disaster Declarations, which would have unlocked funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Following the denials, Governor Polis accused President Trump of 'playing political games,' stating, 'Coloradans impacted by the Elk and Lee fires and the flooding in Southwestern Colorado deserve better than the political games President Trump is playing.' Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the decision would withhold vital resources from communities attempting to rebuild. The state of Colorado has announced its intention to appeal the decision.

In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated that President Trump reviews each request for federal disaster assistance 'with great care and consideration,' aiming to ensure that American tax dollars are used appropriately and efficiently by states to supplement, not substitute, their obligations. Jackson denied any 'politicization' of the President's decisions on disaster aid.