By now you may have read or heard about the massive wildfire that swept through a Boulder suburb here on Thursday. 35,000 people were evacuated, and preliminary estimates are that 991 homes were destroyed and 127 damaged. That is over 1100 families impacted. 3 people are missing and presumed dead, so far. Countless pets were lost in the firestorm. It was a shocking and traumatic event for our community, still recovering from the mass shooting at the King Soopers grocery store in March 2020.
Below is a list of disaster relief resources and links to information that we hope will be helpful for those of you who wish to help. We know several folks who have lost their homes so we are posting information for them also, because not all of them have access to the notifications coming out now.
This page will be updated. We will do a comfort quilt drive in the future but right now what these families need is relief so please do donate what you can. Thank you – Luana
Disaster Assistance Center Opens Monday, January 3 for Those Impacted by Marshall Fire
Consultations for property loss and recovery and filing claims, financial and food assistance, and more available
From Rep Edie Hoot0n:
Donations of cash, goods, services, and shelter
The Boulder County Wildfire Fund is raising funds for ongoing needs in Superior, Louisville, and other communities affected by the fires.
This is our #1 suggestion for a place to donate relief funds to help victims immediately!
Sister Carmen Community Center is coordinating donations through their website. Please ask what they need before donating physical items.
Individuals are coordinating services, supplies, animal assistance, and shelter through this Google Sheet shared by Katrina Sondermann.
KGNU Radio has organized a Boulder County Fires mutual aid group on Facebook.
You can also donate shelter, food, materials, or services through the Boulder Office of Emergency Management donation page.
Register to offer shelter to displaced residents through Airbnb’s disaster housing program.
Emergency information
For continued updates on the emergency response, visit the Boulder County Office of Emergency Management’s website, also @BoulderOEM on Twitter.
Get current information on road closures, evacuation areas, and shelters on the Boulder County Public Information Map.
Animal resources
Boulder County Lost & Found Pets Facebook page.
Boulder Valley Humane Society is hosting lost and evacuated pets, and providing pet food and supplies to families in need. Find updates on their Facebook page.
Colorado Pet Pantry provides pet food and supplies.
From Cong. Joe Neguse:
Countless families are learning today that they have lost their homes, and all of their possessions. For each of the individuals who are learning of this loss, for those who have been evacuated from their homes, we stand with you, ready to assist in any way that we can. For those looking for assistance you can contact our Boulder office at: 303-335-1045.
In the last 24 hours, we’ve secured initial FEMA authorization for a Fire Management Assistance Grant as we work to contain the fire. Additionally, we’re working with Governor Polis and the Biden Administration to finalize the expedited Major Disaster Declaration the President verbally approved earlier today to bring the full force of federal resources to our community to help with home repairs, individual assistance and more.
See our 2021 Wildfire Resource Guide here and follow @BoulderOEM and visit their website for updates on evacuation.
Boulder County Call Center – 303-413-7730
Animal Evacuations:
- Jefferson County Fairgrounds (15200 W 6th Ave. Frontage Rd., Golden)
- The Ranch Events Complex (5280 Arena Circle, Suite 100, Loveland)
For lost and found pets, visit this page. For horse relocation see here.
Resources For Those Impacted:
Centura Health; Patient and Associate Line – 303-661-1848
| From Gov. Jared Polis: BOULDER COUNTY – Today Boulder County announced the addresses of homes and businesses impacted by the fire. There are resources available to those impacted by the devastating wildfires. Please find below information about how to access behavioral health support and the next steps to take related to insurance and financial assistance. President Biden today approved the Colorado Disaster Declaration making federal funding available to affected individuals in Boulder County. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Behavioral Health Resources Contact Colorado Crisis Services at 1 (844) 493-8255, or text “TALK” to 38255, to speak with a professional counselor about any area where you could use support for yourself or a loved one, from loneliness and isolation, to stress, relationship issues, substance use and other common concerns. JFS Boulder County Crisis Counseling: In response to multiple tragic events over the last year, Jewish Family Service and Community Foundation Boulder County have partnered to offer counseling services to Boulder County residents. The program offers up to $500 towards five individual counseling sessions (a maximum of $100 per session), or up to $875 towards five family counseling sessions (a maximum of $175 per session) and provides a pool of licensed providers from which to choose. I Matter: 3 free mental health sessions for any youth in the state, largely available via telehealth. Mental Health Partners: Call (303) 443-8500. MHP outpatient services are closed Monday, Jan. 3rd and will re open 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4th National Disaster Helpline: Call (800) 985-5990 Support available at each of the evacuation shelters Applying for FEMA Assistance Colorado encourages all individuals impacted by the Marshall Fire to apply for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program. Individuals should first call their insurance agents and then apply for federal assistance. Apply for FEMA assistance online or by calling 1-800-621- 3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. If you do not have rental or home insurance, please apply for FEMA assistance. Applying for U.S. Small Business Administration Assistance (SBA) Federal assistance is available from the SBA to businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. Interest rates can be as low as 2.83 percent for businesses, 1.875 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.438 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. To be considered for SBA assistance and all forms of federal disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Additional information and details is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. Insurance Information If you have been displaced by the fires, contact your insurance agent or company immediately to let them know where you are staying. Not only can they help you with coverage or claims questions, they can help find lodging options as many people in the area will be temporarily displaced.To find the contact information of your homeowners or auto insurance company go to Insurance Company Claims Filing Telephone Numbers Save all receipts for living expenses if you’ve been evacuated or displaced by the fire, as homeowners or renters in these situations typically have insurance coverage for additional living expenses (ALE) which provides them with an amount of out-of-pocket money while evacuated. Check with your insurance company or agent about your coverage. If you are unable to live in your house or apartment because of the fire, most policies will also reimburse you the difference between your additional living expenses and your normal living expenses. Again, check with your insurance company or agent about your coverage.Start the claim process as soon as you can. For your home, any out buildings and vehicles, you’ll want to contact your insurance company or agent right away to begin the claim process. However, these fires were devastating and many people have been significantly impacted, so the insurance process will take time. If possible, and only if it is safe to do so, try to document any damage by taking photos. If your home survived the fires, it may still have experienced damage from smoke or water, or to the electrical systems or other damage due to the extreme heat or the snow and cold. As with direct fire damage, contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible to start the claims process. If you have questions about insurance, contact the Division of Insurance. The Division’s Consumer Services Team will staff the phones and answer emails from 8 a.m – 5 p.m., including this weekend and next weekend. While claims need to be filed with the insurance companies, the Division can assist consumers with questions about insurance and the claims process. Contact the Consumer Service Team at 303-894-7490 / 800-930-3745 (outside of the Denver metro area) / [email protected] or visit our website, doi.colorado.gov (click on “File a Complaint”). Renters should contact their renters’ insurance. If you do not have rental insurance please apply for FEMA assistance. |
From Cong. Jason Crow:
In addition to Community Foundation Boulder County, several nonprofits are on the frontlines collecting monetary donations, food, and supplies to help with the aftermath. Click on the links below to support relief efforts:
- Denver7 Gives Fund
- JEWISHcolorado
- YMCA of Northern Colorado (accepting blanket, pillows, and pet food donations at 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette, CO 80026)
If you are in the area and would like to help, you can also sign up to offer shelter to displaced residents through the Airbnb Open Homes Program.
The Boulder Daily Camera is doing great coverage. Also follow @MitchellByars on Twitter.
The Colorado Sun updates a general information page with resources about evacuation centers, emergency guidance, and resources for victims.
Boulder County Sheriff releases preliminary list of structures damaged in the Marshall Fire:
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/COBOULDER-303740d
CU Boulder Campus will begin our spring 2022 semester remotely in order to support our community as we respond to the Marshall Fire and concerns about the COVID-19 omicron variant.
Read more: https://www.colorado.edu/chancellor/node/1341/
