NIST Seeks Disaster Resilience Grant Proposals

The DHSEM Mitigation and Recovery Section is sharing this grant opportunity.  This grant is not administered through DHSEM and DHSEM is not ableto provide technical assistance on the application. 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is making up to $3 million in grant funding available for research aimed at (1) advancing the principles of disaster resilience in the design of building and infrastructure systems, and (2) developing building codes and standards that will lead to reduction of impact caused by windstorm and coastal inundation, wildland urban interface fires and earthquakes. The Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) also seeks grant proposals for the development of innovative measurement methods and technologies to collect and evaluate building and infrastructure performance data in the wake of a hazard event. NIST anticipates funding five to 15 awards in the range of $300,000 to $1 million each for up to three years.

Applications for the Disaster Resilience Research Grants Program must be received in Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 23, 2016.

For more information, see the DR Research Grants Program webpage or contact Millie Glick, millie.glick@nist.gov (301) 975-5962.

Media Release: State submits request to FEMA for major disaster declaration

The State of Colorado submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on July 8, 2015 for a major disaster declaration as a result of severe weather and flooding that occurred between April 16 and June 20, 2015. The State is requesting that 11 counties be included in the disaster declaration for Public Assistance based on the joint preliminary damage assessments conducted in Baca, Elbert, El Paso, Fremont, Logan, Morgan, Pueblo, Saguache, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma counties.

The preliminary damage assessments show a combined total of nearly $20 million in damages across the 11 counties.

The Governor must request a major disaster declaration through the FEMA regional office after the preliminary damage assessments have been completed. The FEMA regional office then reviews the request and forwards it to the President.

The State of Colorado has requested that the FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program be awarded to the impacted jurisdictions. The Public Assistance Grant Program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and infrastructure.
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Read the  State of Colorado’s Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration: Major Disaster or Emergency.

Official Colorado Declaration of Disaster for the Spring 2015 Storms

Executive Order D 2015-005

Declaring a Disaster Emergency and Authorizing National Guard Assets in Response to Severe Weather, Associated Flooding, and a Landslide on State Highway 13

On July 2, 2015 the official Executive Order D 2015-005 was signed declaring a state disaster.  Read the full Executive Order.

DHSEM Position Announcement: Mitigation and Recovery Disaster Finance Specialist

The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has reposted a position announcement for a Mitigation and Recovery Disaster Finance Specialist.  The position closes at 5 p.m. on November 3. 

View the position announcement at http://bit.ly/1FsPupL. 

News Release: Ouray Declares Economic Emergency

News release posted for City of Ouray, Colorado and County of Ouray, Colorado.

Contact: Glenn Boyd, Ouray County Emergency Manager and City Council Member City of Ouray
Email: gboyd@ouraycountyco.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ouray, Colo - Pamela Larson, the Mayor of Ouray, Colorado, has sent a declaration of economic disaster and emergency to Governor Hickenlooper, requesting assistance on behalf of the City’s business community. The Mayor made the declaration on Monday May 12, 2014 at 6:00pm. The City Council will ratify the adopted the emergency declaration at its meeting on May 19, 2014 at 7:00pm. The Board of County Commissioners for Ouray County also passed a resolution in support of the City’s declaration at its meeting on May 13, 2014.

An economic emergency arises when conditions beyond the control of the community result in economic hardship. Such a declaration paves the way for federal and state assistance, including loans from the federal Small Business Administration. The emergency declaration results from a massive landslide earlier in 2014 that has closed Highway 550 through Red Mountain Pass for extended periods of time. The road is currently under construction by Colorado Department of Highways to repair damage and to place chain covers over areas most susceptible to rock movement. While the construction is appreciated, and necessary to prevent future disastrous slides, closure of the road in the beginning of tourist season, after having also been closed for extended periods over the winter, has had a very detrimental impact on local businesses.

Red Mountain Pass connects the City of Ouray to the Town of Silverton and is the main route between southern Ouray County and San Juan County. The road is heavily traveled by both locals and visitors during the summer. Those visitors often spend time in the City of Ouray and elsewhere in Ouray County, en-route to Durango or other destinations to the south, including Mesa Verde. Businesses count on these visitors for business during the relatively short summer season.
The City also hopes to heighten awareness that the highway us open to the City of Ouray. Various signage along the highway has been limited and somewhat confusing on that point.

“We are open for business and looking forward to a strong summer visitor season. Most jeep trails, hiking areas, fishing access and other recreational opportunities are available during the highway construction. We encourage the public to come and visit us,” said Mayor Larson.

Any questions regarding highway closures should be directed to CDOT. Any question regarding access to businesses and recreation sites should be directed to Glenn Boyd.

Disaster Recovery Center in Boulder County Will Close

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Lyons, Boulder County, will close at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18.

BOULDER COUNTY

Lyons Elementary School Gym
338 High St.
Lyons, CO 80540
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST, Friday, Nov. 15.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., MST, Saturday, Nov. 16.
Closed on Sunday, Nov. 17.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST, Monday, Nov. 18.

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Survivors with losses from the storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides will save time by registering for help from FEMA before going to the DRCs.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week. Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online: DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at fema.gov/blog, twitter.com/fema, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at twitter.com/craigatfema The social media links are provided for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management supports the needs of local government and partners with them before, during and after a disaster and to enhance preparedness statewide by devoting available resources toward prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery, which will ensure greater resiliency of our communities. For more information: coemergency.com andCORecovers.info

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants can go to sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955

(TTY 1-800-977-8339).

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers and Business Recovery Centers to Close November 11 in Observance of Veterans Day

Matt Varilek, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Denver Regional Office, announced today that SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Aurora, Colorado Springs and Golden and Business Recovery Centers in Estes Park and Longmont will be closed on November 11, in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday.

“SBA opened these centers to provide personalized assistance to Colorado residents and business owners who were affected by the severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that occurred from September 11 – 30, 2013. The centers will re-open on Tuesday, November 12, where SBA representatives will continue to be available to meet with residents and business owners to answer all of their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program and help them complete their applications,” said Varilek.

Residents and business owners can meet with SBA representatives on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

Business Recovery Centers

BOULDER COUNTY
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Twin Peaks Mall
1250 South Hover Road
Longmont, CO 80501
(use the NE mall entrance near United Artist Cinema)
Closed Veterans Day holiday, Monday, Nov. 11
Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1p.m.

LARIMER COUNTY
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
The Stanley Hotel
333 East Wonderview Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517
(use the Steamer Cafe entrance on the East-side, lower level)
Closed Veterans Day holiday, Monday, Nov. 11
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers

ARAPAHOE COUNTY
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Aurora Central Library
Community Room
14949 East Alameda Parkway
Aurora, CO 80012
Closed Veterans Day holiday, Monday, Nov. 11
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1p.m.

EL PASO COUNTY
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Colorado Springs Fire Dept. Training Center
(in the conference room)
375 Printers Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Closed Veterans Day holiday, Monday, Nov. 11
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

JEFFERSON COUNTY
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Jefferson County Courthouse
100 Jefferson County Parkway
(on the 5th Floor, Room 5543)
Golden, CO 80419
Closed Veterans Day holiday, Monday, Nov. 11
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

“SBA’s low-interest, Federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations to repair or replace their property damaged or destroyed by the disaster. So far, SBA has approved more than $52 million in disaster loans to residents and nearly $9.7 million for businesses,” Varilek said.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 1.937 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.875 percent for private, nonprofit organizations, and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or e-mailingdisastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For more information about SBA’s disaster assistance programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.

Governor Amends Executive Order to Now Include 24 Counties

Executive Order D2013-030 was amended to include additional counties affected by the September 2013 flooding.

The counties currently included in the Executive Order include:

1. Adams
2. Arapahoe
3. Boulder
4. Broomfield
5. Chaffee
6. Clear Creek
7. Crowley
8. Denver
9. El Paso
10. Fremont
11. Gilpin
12. Jefferson
13. Lake 
14. Larimer
15. Lincoln
16. Logan
17. Morgan
18. Otero
19. Park
20. Pueblo
21. Prowers
22. Sedgwick
23. Washington
24. Weld

Read Executive Order D 2013-030 as amended October 8, 2013.