GUADALUPE - Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representative Jeff Hurd toured flood-damaged areas of the San Luis Valley. The lawmakers made stops in Guadalupe and South Fork to survey extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure and hear directly from local leaders about ongoing recovery needs.

The visit follows a letter sent Wednesday by the lawmakers and the entire Colorado congressional delegation urging President Trump to swiftly approve Governor Jared Polis' request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration following historic flooding and debris flows across Southwestern Colorado and the San Luis Valley.

Watch Hickenlooper's Video From South Fork, CO

"The damage we saw today is almost hard to fathom. Many of these same communities are still reeling from last fall's floods, and now they've been hit again," said Hickenlooper. "We're grateful to the emergency management teams and first responders who are keeping people safe. We've also been checking in with leaders across the Southwest region to understand their recovery needs. We'll do everything we can to coordinate with the State and our federal partners to ensure these communities get the resources they deserve as quickly as possible."

The Governor's request seeks Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for Archuleta and Rio Grande Counties, where state and federal officials have already validated nearly $27 million in eligible damages. The flooding also impacted Alamosa, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties, where damage assessments continue and additional requests for federal assistance are expected.

In late October and early November, severe storms brought devastating flooding and debris flows to Southwestern Colorado, damaging roads, bridges, utilities, homes, and businesses, and cutting off access to entire communities. Preliminary assessments for Archuleta and Rio Grande Counties have identified approximately $10.6 million in damage to local roads, bridges, and culverts; $2.44 million in damage to public utilities; and $8.59 million in damage to parks and recreation facilities. These figures do not include additional damage assessments underway or separate federal highway repair costs.

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