Moving Forward Together

It has been over a month since the Marshall and Middle Fork fires roared through Boulder County. For thousands of our friends, colleagues, and neighbors this has been the most unimaginable month of their lives. Many are beginning to better understand the scope and scale of the challenge they face in the recovery with more questions than there are answers.

To date, the Wildfire Fund has raised over $27 million from over 65,000 donors. Of that, the foundation has allocated $7 million in direct financial assistance. Over 90% of the households that were damaged or destroyed have accessed financial support from us, through our partnership with Boulder County. We are grateful to our partners for helping us deploy funds quickly and easily, to those most directly affected. Support is still available to those whose homes were damaged or destroyed, who evacuated, who lost wages due to their business being damaged or destroyed, and/or to those who lost tools of their trade in the fire. Applications are available here. Please accept the support if you need it. Let us help.

Additionally, the foundation provided a $150,000 grant to United Policyholders (UPH), to help residents navigate the insurance policy system. UPH is providing webinars, including one this evening, and are available to any resident who has questions. We encourage you to make use of this resource.

Get support navigating the insurance and recovery process from United Policyholders >

If you are not aware, March 2 is the last day to register with FEMA. FEMA has declared the Marshall Fire as a Declared Disaster. We urge all insured disaster survivors to register with FEMA. You may find out you need additional assistance.

While there are resources available, we understand it has been challenging to become aware of those resources. We, in partnership with our local municipalities, and many nonprofits, will work to do better in providing clear and consistent communications to help navigate what comes next.

So, what does come next for the work of the foundation?

The IRS allows some latitude in the deployment of direct financial assistance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. To make future disbursements, however, we are required to have more information. More information requires the establishment of a disaster case management system.

Those who have lived in Boulder County for some time might remember the 2013 Long–Term Flood Recovery Group. The creation of a long-term recovery group is standard practice after a disaster event. Some groups operate better than others and communities learn from each example. There are national experts we can lean on, and things we know to do better (based on our own experiences) for our community.

Boulder County’s Long-Term Recovery Group is in the process of being formed. With its creation comes disaster case management, improved communications, and improved coordination amongst the many stakeholders and leaders.

I know the last thing people want to hear right now is to be patient. It’s frustrating. Some days, it’s infuriating.

Please know, the foundation, working in close partnership with local governments, is doing everything in our power to push systems to move quickly, so that we can continue to respond to the needs of our community. We will continue to push for urgency and coordination.

As we have learned from previous disasters, our job is to work creatively and tirelessly to meet the needs of our beloved community. The coordination work being done now will ensure we can move forward in an informed and collaborative way.

As always, we are thankful for the generosity of individuals, of small business, of corporate and foundation partners, of municipal, state, and federal agencies, of the entire village that has come to the aid of our community in our time of need. Together, we will find our way forward.

Warmly,

Tatiana Hernandez
CEO, Community Foundation Boulder County

I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED DIRECTLY BY THE MARSHALL FIRE; HOW CAN I GET MORE HELP?

Applications will be accepted online for financial assistance for those displaced or otherwise impacted by the Marshall Fire. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions about the financial assistance that is currently available, including more information about how to apply and eligibility. All impacted community members are welcome regardless of documentation status.

Boulder Office of Emergency Management:

(ENGLISH) www.boco.org/MarshallFireAssistance

(SPANISH) www.boco.org/MarshallFireEspanol

The Boulder County Public Call Center

Please reach out to the Boulder County Public Call Center (303) 413-7730 if you were impacted by the fire and need information.

Disability & Disaster Hotline:

Community members who need additional support can call or text 1 (800) 626-4959

THE MARSHALL FIRE DONATIONS AND RESOURCE CENTER IS NOW OPEN.

21 West Flatiron Crossing Drive in Broomfield

(Former Nordstrom department store at FlatIron Crossing Mall)

Hours of operation are 7 days a week 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Check the “Needed” / “Not Needed” list >