Colorado governor accuses Trump of playing ‘political games’ after disaster request denials

Colorado Governor Blasts Trump Administration Over Denial of Disaster Aid

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has accused former President Donald Trump’s administration of playing “political games” following the federal government’s rejection of the state’s requests for disaster declarations related to wildfires and flooding that struck Colorado earlier this year.

Polis’ office revealed Sunday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent two denial letters late Saturday, rejecting the state’s applications for major disaster declarations. The requests were tied to wildfires and subsequent mudslides that occurred in August, as well as what Polis characterized as “historic flooding” that devastated communities across southwestern Colorado in October.

“Coloradans impacted by the Elk and Lee fires and the flooding in Southwestern Colorado deserve better than the political games President Trump is playing,” Polis said in a strongly worded statement. The governor indicated that Colorado would appeal the denials.

Colorado’s U.S. senators, Democrats Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, joined the governor in condemning FEMA’s decision. The unified response from Colorado’s top elected officials highlights the significance of federal disaster assistance for the state’s recovery efforts.

The Elk and Lee fires, which were among several wildfires that plagued Colorado this year, caused significant property damage and forced evacuations across affected communities. The subsequent mudslides, often triggered by heavy rain on burn scars, further compounded the destruction. In October, southwestern Colorado experienced exceptional flooding that damaged infrastructure, homes, and businesses in multiple counties.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s decision, stating that Trump responds to each request for federal disaster assistance “with great care and consideration.” Jackson emphasized that federal aid is intended to “supplement — not substitute” state obligations in disaster response and recovery, ensuring “American tax dollars are used appropriately and efficiently.”

Jackson firmly rejected the notion that politics influenced the decisions, stating there is “no politicization” to Trump’s determinations on disaster aid.

The dispute occurs against the backdrop of Trump’s previous statements about potentially “phasing out” FEMA, suggesting that states should shoulder more responsibility in disaster management. While states already take the lead role in disaster response, federal assistance traditionally becomes available when the scale of a disaster exceeds a state’s capacity to manage independently.

This federal-state tension over disaster funding has become increasingly common in recent years as climate-related disasters have grown in frequency and intensity across the United States. Colorado, like many western states, has faced escalating challenges from wildfires, flooding, and drought that strain state resources.

For affected Colorado communities, the denial of federal assistance could significantly impact recovery timelines and available resources. Federal disaster declarations typically unlock various forms of aid, including grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and programs to help communities rebuild infrastructure.

The state’s planned appeal will likely focus on demonstrating that the impact of these disasters exceeded Colorado’s capacity to recover without federal support. Such appeals sometimes succeed in reversing initial denials when states provide additional documentation of damage and financial impact.

As Colorado prepares its appeal, residents in the affected communities face continued uncertainty about the level of assistance they might ultimately receive. Local officials are working to coordinate recovery efforts with limited resources while awaiting the outcome of the state’s challenge to FEMA’s decision.

The situation underscores the complex relationship between federal and state governments in disaster management, particularly as climate change continues to amplify natural hazards across the country.