BOULDER - Today, Governor Jared Polis met with Coloradans directly affected by the devastating wildfires. Governor visited Grand, Larimer, and Boulder Counties to see the impacts of the fires in each community, met with officials, and provided an update on the State response to wildfires.
“My heart goes out to all Coloradans who have had to flee their home or leave their community behind due to these fires. 2020 has brought unprecedented challenges - a global pandemic, economic struggles, historic wildfires - and Coloradans have sacrificed a lot, but we are also showing our grit and resilience to overcome the challenges we face, and there will be brighter days ahead,” said Governor Polis.
Governor Polis spent the morning in Winter Park, where he met and spoke with families who had been evacuated from their homes due to wildfires. Later in the day, he met with first responders who have been battling these fires to hear more about their work and to offer his appreciation.
“Our firefighters, first responders, and sheriffs are answering the call and delivering a rapid and robust response to these devastating and climate-induced wildfires. We have been in close communication with local partners throughout the pandemic and the State has been working with the incident command centers and local officials, who are helping lead the response, to ensure communities and families are getting the resources they need,” Governor Polis added.
The Governor met with experts on air support with wildfires this afternoon at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield. Gov. Polis also met with officials at the Incident Command Center in Loveland, was briefed on the Calwood Fire and Lefthand Fire and surveyed the damage caused by the Calwood Fire with Congressman Joe Neguse.
The Governor was joined throughout the day by Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, who is a reserve wildland firefighter who was called up to fight wildfires this year, Stan Hilkey, Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety, Shoshana Lew, Executive Director of the Department of Transportation, Congressman Joe Neguse and Boulder County, Sheriff Joe Pelle.
The Governor provided an update on the state’s response to wildfires this afternoon near Geer Gulch in Boulder where he was joined by Congressman Neguse and other state and local officials.
Watch the Governor’s news conference here.
Colorado’s 20 largest wildfires have all occurred since 2000 and the three largest have occurred in 2020; Cameron Peak, East Troublesome, and Pine Gulch. For Coloradans that wish to help those affected by the fires, please visit Coloradoresponds.org