Colorado governor asks Trump for about $27 million after south-west floods
Colorado Governor Jared Polis asked President Donald Trump on Saturday, 31 October 2026, for about $27 million in federal aid to help repair public property damaged by flooding in south-western Colorado. The request, reported by the Colorado Sun, is for a major disaster declaration, which would unlock federal help for local governments dealing with the clean-up.
The floods followed severe storms from 22 to 25 October, which brought up to seven inches of rain in areas around Pagosa Springs, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Floodwater rose to more than four feet on some federal-aid roads at its peak and closed several state and local roads. Polis declared a state disaster emergency on 22 October, later adding Conejos County, covering 12 counties in all, including La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma and Mineral.
Nearly 100 Colorado National Guard members were deployed, and by 30 October they had rescued 50 people and more than 20 dogs, the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said. Shelters were open in Archuleta and Rio Grande counties.
The $27 million figure is based on early damage assessments, so it may rise as more damage is found. It is separate from a $65 million request already made by the transport department for repairs to federal-aid highways, including US 160, US 550 and Colorado Highway 151. The state has already approved $5 million in emergency funds for that road work.
Why it matters
The money would help small, rural counties pay for repairs to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure that they cannot afford on their own. Many residents were cut off from homes, work and basic services when roads washed out. With winter approaching, officials want repairs under way before snow and freezing weather make the work harder.
What happens next
The decision now rests with President Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and no decision had been announced at the time of writing. Officials are still documenting damage, and residents are being asked to report damage to their county. Another storm was expected to bring rain and mountain snow from Friday, 30 October, into Sunday, 1 November, and Monday, 2 November, with volunteers in South Fork filling sandbags in preparation.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://dailycurrentnews.com/57/trending/viral-news/10651/Denver-News-Roundup.html (Daily Current News, 31 October 2026)
- https://world.einnews.com/pr_news/952996282/cdot-requests-65-million-in-federal-emergency-relief-for-southwest-colorado-flood-damage (EIN Presswire / Colorado Department of Transportation, 29 October 2026)
- https://northdenvertribune.com/news-2/governor-polis-details-statewide-flood-response-as-new-storm-targets-southwestern-colorado/ (North Denver Tribune, 28 October 2026)
- https://dhsem.colorado.gov/news-article/seoc-update-october-30-2026 (Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 30 October 2026)
- https://co.thestatepage.com/ (The StatePage, 1 November 2026)
