Trump Denies Colorado Disaster Aid, Governor Slams ‘Political Games’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Colorado Gov. Jared Polis accused President Trump of politicizing disaster relief after FEMA denied aid for wildfires and flooding. The state plans to appeal the decision, with support from Colorado’s U.S. senators. The White House denies any political motivation, citing fiscal responsibility.
Trump’s Disaster Aid Denial to Colorado – Quick Looks
- FEMA denied Colorado’s requests for federal disaster declarations.
- Governor Jared Polis blamed President Trump for “political games.”
- Aid was requested for August wildfires and October flooding.
- Polis said Coloradans affected by disasters “deserve better.”
- Colorado’s senators Bennet and Hickenlooper criticized the denials.
- Trump has suggested reducing FEMA’s role in disaster response.
- White House insists decisions were apolitical and fiscally responsible.
- Colorado plans to appeal FEMA’s decision.
Deep Look
Colorado Governor Accuses Trump of Politicizing Disaster Aid After FEMA Denials
DENVER — Colorado Governor Jared Polis is pushing back against the Trump administration after the state’s requests for federal disaster declarations were denied, accusing President Donald Trump of putting politics over people in the wake of devastating wildfires and flooding.
On Saturday night, Polis’ office received two denial letters from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These denials rejected the state’s pleas for major disaster relief following August wildfires and mudslides, as well as October’s historic flooding that overwhelmed communities in southwestern Colorado.
In a statement issued Sunday, Polis didn’t hold back.
“Coloradans impacted by the Elk and Lee fires and the flooding in Southwestern Colorado deserve better than the political games President Trump is playing,” the Democratic governor said.
Colorado’s Senators Join in Criticism
Polis was not alone in his condemnation. U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Democrats representing Colorado, also decried the denials and backed the governor’s plan to appeal FEMA’s decision.
Bennet and Hickenlooper have previously visited affected areas and advocated for increased federal assistance, saying the scale of damage exceeded the state’s capacity to respond effectively without federal aid.
White House: No Politics, Just Policy
In response to the backlash, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson pushed back on claims of political motivation, stating that President Trump reviews disaster declarations carefully to ensure federal funds are used properly.
“President Trump responds to each request for federal disaster assistance with great care and consideration, ensuring American tax dollars are used appropriately and efficiently,” Jackson said in a statement.
She added that the administration sees federal aid as a supplement, not a substitute, for state-level disaster response and emphasized that “there is no politicization” behind Trump’s disaster aid decisions.
Trump’s Broader FEMA Philosophy
President Trump has previously expressed interest in “phasing out” FEMA, arguing that states should take more responsibility in managing disaster response and recovery.
While states already lead initial emergency efforts, FEMA typically steps in when disaster costs exceed local and state capabilities — a threshold Colorado officials argue has clearly been met in this case.
Trump’s comments have raised alarm among emergency management experts and state officials who argue that FEMA’s role is crucial for communities recovering from natural disasters with wide-scale destruction.
Polis Appeals and Pushes for Relief
Governor Polis made it clear that his administration would formally appeal the FEMA denial. Under federal law, states have the right to submit additional information and documentation to justify the need for federal assistance.
With winter weather threatening to complicate recovery in some flood-hit areas, time is of the essence. Many communities are still rebuilding from mudslides, infrastructure damage, and smoke-related health concerns stemming from the Elk and Lee fires, which scorched thousands of acres.
“Our communities are resilient, but they should not have to face these burdens alone,” Polis said.
What’s at Stake
The denied declarations mean that Colorado will not receive federal aid for impacted individuals, infrastructure, or emergency response efforts — at least not yet.
Had the declarations been approved, Colorado would have been eligible for:
- Individual Assistance: Help for displaced residents, including housing and medical needs
- Public Assistance: Funding for debris removal, road and bridge repairs, and public infrastructure
- Hazard Mitigation Grants: Long-term investments to reduce future disaster risk
Without these funds, state and local governments must shoulder the entire cost, putting a strain on already-tight budgets.
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