Obama approves disaster declaration for Royal Gorge fire
President Barack Obama has approved Colorado’s request for major disaster declarations for the Black Forest and Royal Gorge fires.
The disaster declarations make federal funds available for unemployment benefits and to repair or replace facilities damaged or destroyed in the fires, among other uses.
The 14,280-acre Black Forest fire, which started on June 11, killed two people and destroyed 488 homes in El Paso County. It is the most destructive in state history. The Royal Gorge fire in Fremont County burned 3,218 acres and destroyed all but four of the structures at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. The bridge remains intact.
“We are grateful for the federal support in the wake the Royal Gorge Fire and other fires this summer,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said in a statement after the disaster declaration for the Royal Gorge fire was announced. “This assistance will help Coloradans recover and begin to rebuild some of what was lost.”
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Contact Daniel J. Chac? 476-1623.
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