Marshall Fire financial help expanded to those with smoke and ash damage, business impacts

NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY
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Local financial assistance has been expanded to include renters and homeowners displaced by smoke or ash contamination from the Marshall Fire, and those who suffered business-related losses related to the fire are also encouraged to apply for help. Boulder County Housing and Human Services continues to accept applications for funding that comes from Community Foundation Boulder County’s Wildfire Fund and from Elevations Credit Union.

Those who qualify for help due to smoke or ash contamination could receive $2,500 for a household of one to two people and $5,000 for a household of three or more people. Documentation of displacement due to smoke or ash contamination is required, and county staff will work with applicants to identify what is needed. Applications can be submitted online at www.boco.org/MarshallFireAssistance.

“We have already helped over 2,000 impacted households with over $5 million in financial assistance thanks to the generosity of those who have donated money to Community Foundation and Elevations, and we want to be sure people who were impacted but didn’t have a home destroyed or damaged directly by the fire know they also have access to help,” said Susan Caskey, Interim Co-Director for Boulder County Housing and Human Services. “For example, we know some renters were displaced due to smoke or ash contamination, had to throw out their belongings, and didn’t have insurance to replace them. We hope the community will help us spread the word to those who have understandably been busy recovering from the Marshall Fire or who may just be harder to reach. If you know someone who rented, owned a home, or worked or had a business in the area who may not be aware of the help that is available, please let them know about this.”

In addition to financial assistance for renters or homeowners displaced due to smoke or ash contamination, help also remains available for the following related to the Marshall Fire:

• Anyone with a home that was destroyed or damaged
• Anyone who was forced to evacuate
• Those who lost the ability to work (including home businesses) due to the fire
• Residents who lost “tools of the trade” to the fire (excluding computers or computer equipment)
• Anyone with a small local business that was destroyed or damaged (including home businesses)

Community Foundation Boulder County and Elevations Credit Union continue to identify additional financial assistance opportunities for those impacted by the Marshall Fire. Boulder County Housing and Human Services is helping distribute the funding according to these prioritized categories.

Boulder County also continues to collaborate with its partners across the region to connect those impacted by the Marshall Fire and high winds with the financial, food, and other help they need, including through direct outreach and the support of community partner services. Sister Carmen Community Center in Lafayette (www.SisterCarmen.org, 303-665-4342) is providing assistance to fire- and wind-impacted households, as is Emergency Family Assistance Association in Boulder (www.EFAA.org, 303-442-3042).

The Marshall Fire Donation and Resource Center, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 21 West Flatiron Crossing Drive in Broomfield (Flatiron Crossing Mall), has a range of supplies and resources available for residents impacted by the fire and winds. Community members are asked to use the west entrance, closer to Macy’s.

Boulder County has comprehensive assistance and recovery information related to the Marshall Fire and the strong wind event of December 30 at www.boco.org/MarshallFire.

Federal financial supports also remain available to help those impacted by the Marshall Fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) continue to operate at the Disaster Recovery Center at 1755 South Public Road in Lafayette, Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. SBA also continues to accept applications for loans for businesses and non-profits that suffered a loss of income due to the disaster. The deadline to apply with either FEMA or SBA, or both, is March 2, 2022.

Applications with FEMA can also be made by calling 800-621-3362 or visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.

Applications with SBA can also be made by calling 800-659-2955, emailing [email protected], or visiting DisasterLoanAssistance.SBA.gov.

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