July 7, 2023
Marshall Fire Recovery Newsletter – July 7, 2023
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Department of Local Affairs launches the Wind and Wildfire Home Protection Mitigation Program
The Department of Local Affairs launched the Wind and Wildfire Home Protection Mitigation Program. This program encourages incorporating disaster mitigation measures while rebuilding. It is eligible for owners of a primary residence impacted by a state declared disaster since 2018, including the Marshall Fire and Straight-Line Wind event. It is an extension of the State of Colorado Housing Recovery Program.
Two funding options are available for disaster mitigation measures (i.e., home hardening):
Up to $30,000 (funded as up to $5,000 grant, and up to $25,000 forgivable or traditional loan, dependent on income and rebuilding gap)
Up to $5,000 grant only (not dependent on income or a rebuilding gap) - awards in this fund category are limited to a total of $2,000,000.
Get detailed information on eligible mitigation measures and how to apply.
Superior residents invited to take Marshall Fire Memorial Survey
The Marshall Fire will always be a defining and extraordinary event in the lives of our residents and business operators and in the history of the Town of Superior. The Cultural Arts and Public Spaces Advisory Committee (CAPS), through the team at 23.4 Degrees, is seeking your input about whether, when, how and where to create a memorial that preserves and presents this historic event.
We understand fully that, for many, it seems too soon and the experience is still too immediate. However, others remind us that every day that goes by holds a risk of losing contact with the people, the artifacts and the immediacy of the individual experiences.
We are only beginning to explore what is possible, and we invite you to take the survey to guide the first steps toward creating a memorial for the Marshall Fire.
Please take a moment to complete the survey and share it with others. The survey will close on Aug. 15, 2023.
With our gratitude, Superior's Cultural Arts and Public Spaces Advisory Committee
Take the Marshall Fire Memorial Survey.
Bennet, Cassidy, House colleagues reintroduce tax credit to help families and small businesses prepare for natural disasters
U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) alongside U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.), and Greg Steube (R-Fla.) reintroduced the Shelter Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation will provide a tax credit to working families and small businesses to invest in disaster mitigation improvements to protect their homes and property before disasters occur.
“Coloradans have become all too familiar with devastating extreme weather events and wildfires – but we can’t just focus on helping communities recover after these disasters. Congress needs to do more to help homeowners and renters prepare,” said Bennet. “This bill helps taxpayers invest in protection tools and materials to safeguard their homes, businesses, and families. I’m looking forward to working with my bipartisan colleagues to pass this bill.” Read more about the Shelter Act.
Apply for Colorado Disaster Rebuild Programs
Property owners of Colorado communities impacted by state-declared or federally-declared disasters may be eligible for financial resources to rebuild or rehabilitate a residential property affected by those disasters.
The applications below provide access to grants, rebates, forgivable loans, and traditional loans that are available by State, municipal, and philanthropic funding sources. Learn more about the rebuild programs and apply.
Boulder seeks community participation for Wildfire Protection Plan
The City of Boulder is seeking community participation in a survey aimed to help develop an updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for 2024. All Boulder community members are encouraged to offer feedback in the survey.
The CWPP identifies wildfire risks in the wildland-urban interface, which refers to the area between wildland and human development.
A crucial aspect of the CWPP is to recommend strategies for reducing the risk of hazardous fuels, enhancing public outreach and education, lowering the ignitability for structures, and improving fire response capabilities. Funded by Boulder’s Climate Tax, passed by voters in November 2022, the CWPP will serve as a guiding document that will assist the city and landowners in making informed decisions with respect to wildfire preparation and management.
Upcoming Meetings
Survivor to Survivor Forum
Tuesday, July 18 – 8 p.m.
Zoom registration required
EnergySmart Open Office Hours extended, day and location changed
July and August - 9–11 a.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of each month
Marshall ROC Recovery Center (357 McCaslin Boulevard, Suite 115B in Louisville)
EnergySmart’s Marshall Fire New Homes Building Advisor Robby Schwarz is available at no cost to homeowners, builders, code officials, trade partners, and others to help with the process of rebuilding homes that are comfortable, healthy, maximize cost savings, and are efficient.
Technology Support
Marshall ROC, in partnership with ITDRC, provides technology support to help the community in applying for disaster related assistance programs. Scanners, printer and laptops are available to use Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Marshall Fire Recovery Center, 357 McCaslin Blvd., Suite 115-B, Louisville.
Information/Resources
Rebates, Discounts, and Incentives
Boulder County Rebuilding Better
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The latest information and resources are located on the Boulder County Marshall Fire Recovery website or contact Katie Arrington, Assistant Recovery Manager for Boulder County, karrington@bouldercounty.org