WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet issued a statement following President Trump’s decision to uphold his previous refusal of Major Disaster Declarations for the Lee and Elk Fires in August 2025 and the Southwest Colorado flooding in October 2025:
“Disasters are disasters, regardless of state lines or political parties. President Trump’s refusal to grant Major Disaster Declarations for the 2025 Lee and Elk Fires and the Southwest Colorado flooding is callous and leaves rural Coloradans, who urgently need support, vulnerable and footing the bill. Critical infrastructure remains unstable, costs continue to rise, and communities remain at risk. The President is solely responsible for this abdication of responsibility; the consequences of which will continue to be severe and long-lasting.”
The appeal denial letter is available HERE.
In January, Hickenlooper and Bennet led the entire Colorado delegation in support of Governor Jared Polis’ appeal to President Donald Trump’s decision to deny Major Disaster Declarations for the Lee and Elk Fires in August 2025 and the Southwest Colorado flooding in October 2025. Hickenlooper has been very outspoken about the politicization of disaster relief.
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