Colorado Snow Emergency Declaration
NOTE: The 30 day window for submitting Requests for Public Assistance is now closed except for Cheyenne, Kiowa and Huerfano counties who have until March 14, 2007!
On January 7, 2007, Colorado received Presidential Snow Emergency Declarations at the request of Governor Owens. The Governor made the request to the President on January 5.
The first declaration (FEMA-3270-EM) is for a winter storm which developed across the Rocky Mountains, Tuesday, December 18. The Incident Period for this storm is December 18-22, 2006. Fifteen counties are approved for financial assistance from this storm so far. The counties are Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Custer, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, Las Animas, Pueblo, Teller, and Washington. This emergency assistance will be provided for any continuous 48-hour period during or approximate to the incident period.
The second declaration (FEMA-3271-EM) is for the winter storm impacting Southeastern Colorado on December 28. The Incident Period for this storm is December 28-31, 2006. At this time, record snowfall has been confirmed by the National Climatic Data Center for Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo Counties. This emergency assistance will be provided for any continuous 48-hour period during or approximate to the incident period.
On February 7, Larimer County was added to the first declaration and Las Animas County was added to the second declaration.
On February 12, Cheyenne, Huerfano, and Kiowa Counties were added to the second declaration.
The federal government will reimburse the state, county, and local governments, and eligible private non-profits for 75 percent of their eligible expenses incurred during the most critical 48-hour period in each area. While no permanent work is covered, FEMA will cover 75% of costs resulting from equipment use, snow removal, personnel overtime, contractor, and other costs for emergency protective measures related to the emergency response.
Click here for a complete list of eligible and ineligible expenses.
Click here for the Online Applicant Briefing & Instructions for Applying for Assistance.
There is no federal financial aid in this declaration to cover individual needs. Link to Rocky Mountain Insurance Association Winter Storm web page.
This page will be updated with briefing locations, and dates along the front range as they are identified.
NOTE: Applicants that apply for federal assistance will first have their insurance policies reviewed. FEMA is not authorized to provide assistance that would duplicate any insurance coverage provided for snow removal under an applicant’s policy.
It is important that applicants check with their insurance companies to confirm whether or not snow removal coverage is included in their policy. This is a timely matter, since most policies have a “window of opportunity” to apply for this coverage.
Application Process
- In order to qualify for assistance, each applicant must meet or exceed $1,000 in eligible work and/or costs for a continuous 48-hour period.
- Complete a request for Public Assistance (RPA) form, available from the Colorado Division of Emergency Management (CDEM), or by attending one of the applicant briefings.
- Submit the completed form to Marilyn Gally, Colorado public assistance officer, or her office.
- The State will determine applicant eligibility then forward approved RPAs to FEMA for processing.
- Once processed, a FEMA Public Assistance Coordinator (PAC) will contact the eligible applicant to discuss preparation of a Project Worksheet (PW) and eligible reimbursements.
Click here for an Overview of Federal Disaster and Snow Emergency Declarations.
Click here for FEMA's Public Assistance Guide.
Click here for FEMA's Public Assistance Applicant Handbook.
Request for Public Assistance Form.
Click here for the Public Assistance Documentation (Requires Microsoft Excel)