Federal Gov’t Still Owes $20M For Big Thompson Canyon Flood Work

Courtesy Shahn Sederberg/CDOT
A construction worker guides a bulldozer working on US 34 between Estes Park and Drake, Colo., Oct. 3, 2013.
Photo: Colorado Flood 2013 | US 34 Repair Big Thompson - Courtesy
A construction worker guides a bulldozer working on US 34 between Estes Park and Drake, Colo., Oct. 3, 2013

The federal government hasn’t funded $20 million in work to fix roads damaged by flooding in Northern Colorado nearly six years ago.

The Fort Collins Coloradoan reports that a 2018 law that changed how the Federal Emergency Management Agency awards money for projects that don’t meet strict design guidelines, like those in Larimer County’s Big Thompson Canyon, was supposed to help speed up funding. However, FEMA hasn’t given its regional offices guidance on how to award money under it.

Regional FEMA spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough said the agency doesn’t have a timeframe for when the problem will be resolved.

County manager Linda Hoffman told commissioners last month that the situation was “ridiculous.” She is working to set up a meeting with county leaders, FEMA’s regional director, congressional representatives and Gov. Jared Polis’ office.