Marshall Fire Recovery

Boulder County Public Health is working with CDPHE and NOAA on air quality monitoring. Air quality data around the area of the Marshall Fire will be available online (currently in development, available soon) and will provide access to 24/7, real-time air quality data and opt-in text and email alerts when air quality conditions become potentially harmful.

This data will be available in real-time from up to 25 strategically positioned particulate monitors throughout the burn areas and in the surrounding communities, including a dedicated monitor at all affected schools.

Following are air quality resources for those impacted by the Marshall Fire:

Marshall Fire Air Quality Updates

Boulder County Air Quality Information

Town of Superior Air Quality Information

City of Louisville Air Quality Information

Colorado Air Quality Information

Upcoming Meetings

Division of Insurance Town Hall – Underinsurance Discussion Part 1
Thursday, May 19, 5-7 p.m.
Zoom – registration required

Survivor to Survivor Forum for Partial Losses
Tuesday, May 24, 6 p.m.
Zoom – registration required

Roadmap to Recovery Q&A on Smoke Issues for 2021 Marshall Fire Partial Loss Survivors
Wednesday, May 25, 6 p.m.
Zoom – registration required

Community workshop series to cover resources on RebuildingBetter.org
Wednesday, June 1, 6-7 p.m. (Save the date for part 2 and 3 of the series on July 13 and Aug. 3)
Louisville Recreation and Senior Center, 900 Via Appia Way
This workshop will help answer questions about improving your home’s comfort, as well as how to find the right team to design and construct your high-performance home.
In-person meeting registration
Virtual Registration

Division of Insurance Town Hall – Underinsurance Discussion Part 2
Thursday, June 2, 5-7 p.m.
Zoom – registration required

Past Meetings

Videos: Previous Community Meetings and Fire Briefings

View United Policy Holder’s past events

• • May 2, 2022 Department of Local Affairs – DOLA and Disaster Recovery Presentation
  • May 2, 2022 Community Foundation Wildfire Fund Update Presentation
  • April 11, 2022 Marshall Fire rebuilding BuildSmart energy efficiency presentation and video recording
  • March 29, 2022 Debris Removal Program Public Meeting | Presentation
  • March 28, 2022 Community Foundation Wildfire Fund Community Meeting and Presentation
  • Feb. 9, 2022 Rebuilding in Unincorporated Boulder County Presentation
  • Jan. 21, 2022 United Policyholders Meeting Presentation
  • Jan. 21, 2022 Debris Removal and Road to Recovery Presentation
  • Jan. 21, 2022 Boulder County Public Health Presentation
  • Jan. 20, 2022 Disaster Toolkit Boulder County
  • Jan. 20, 2022 Martins’ Rebuilding After a Fire Presentation
  • Jan. 20, 2022 Pellerin After the Fire Testimonial
  • Jan. 11, 2022 Marshall Fire Community Townhall – Elevations Credit Union webinar on mortgages, property taxes and other financial issues

Community Partners

Marshall Fire Donation and Resource Center – closing April 30

Sister Carmen Community Center: Food assistance/food bank, financial assistance and thrift store vouchers, health and transportation services and more for residents of Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, and Erie. 655 Aspen Ridge Drive, Lafayette | 303-665-4342 or email marshallsupport@sistercarmen.org.

Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA): Food assistance/food bank and financial assistance available for utilities, rent or mortgage assistance for Boulder and southern mountain residents. 1575 Yarmouth Ave., CO 80304 | 303-442-3042

OUR Center: Food assistance and housing and rental assistance available for residents of the St. Vrain Valley School District, including the northern mountains. 220 Collyer St., Longmont. CO 80501| 303-772-5529

Detailed Marshall Fire damage assessment inspections have been conducted in the field, and damage assessment was completed Jan. 6, 2022. (Note that the Jan. 6 list is static.) To see the most up-to-date and current damage list, please view the countywide damage assessment map (searchable by address) at boco.org/MarshallFireDamageAssessmentMap.

To report any damage not shown on the damage assessment map, please contact your respective jurisdiction:

• Unincorporated Boulder County: MarshallRebuilding@bouldercounty.org
• City of Louisville: marshallfire@louisvilleco.gov
• Town of Superior: marshallfire@superiorcolorado.gov

Foundation Evaluation & Removal

Fire usually destroys the structural integrity of structure foundations. A foundation must be evaluated by a Colorado Licensed Structural Engineer if you wish to try and re-use it. If the foundation is not reusable, it should be removed as part of the property clean up. A deconstruction permit from Community Planning & Permitting is required for removal of the foundation. Permit applications for deconstruction can be made through Boulder County’s online portal. If the foundation is determined to be intact and structurally sound it may be integrated into the building permit plan set for the new house.

The Disability & Disaster Hotline

• 800-626-4959 (call/text)
• Email: info@disasterstrategies.org

Disaster Distress Helpline for Deaf ASL Users

• 800-985-5990

Direct Contact for Older Adults & People with Disabilities

• 303-480-5652
• Email: edubray@drcog.org

Help for Medicaid Members

• CCHA Member Support Services at 303-256-1717.

Center for People with Disabilities

• 303-442-8662
• Email: info@cpwd.org

Donations

The Donation and Resource Center at the Flatirons Crossing Mall closed on April 30.

Donations can now be made through Colorado Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and the Marshall ROC (Restoring Our Community). Register to donate online and list new or excellent-condition used items for residents, or items and services for affected businesses. An approved organization assisting in recovery efforts will claim the item for their location. Organizations are vetted through the Marshall ROC Donations Management Committee.

Monetary Donations

Donating funds are the most effective way to support those impacted by fires. Please go to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund, managed by the Community Foundation serving Boulder County: www.commfound.org/wildfirefund.

Volunteer

To volunteer, please register at: www.coloradoresponds.org.

Applications for financial assistance through Boulder County for Marshall Fire-impacted homes are no longer being accepted, however there are other areas of assistance on this page. We encourage you to explore them.

Financial Assistance for Wind-Damaged Mobile Homes

Some financial assistance is available for Boulder County community members who live in mobile homes that were damaged by the strong winds on December 30, 2021. The deadline for submitting applications for this financial assistance for wind-damaged mobile homes is Sunday, May 15, 2022.

If you live in a mobile home in Boulder County and your home was damaged by the strong winds on December 30, 2021, you may qualify for $2,500 if one to two people live in your home and $5,000 if three or more people live in your home.

• This assistance is available regardless of documentation status. Receiving this help will not be connected to the “Public Charge” rule and will not impact any paths to citizenship.
• This financial assistance can be used for any purpose, including but not limited to covering the costs of repairing any damage done by the strong winds on December 30, 2021.
• The financial assistance will not be counted as income for tax purposes and will not impact your ability to receive other assistance.
• The financial assistance comes from donations contributed by thousands of people all over Colorado and the U.S. and around the world for the purpose of helping people who need it.
• If you qualify, you will receive the financial assistance in the form of a cash/debit card that can be used anywhere that accepts them (most businesses).

How to Apply:

• Please fill out the application at boco.org/StrongWindsAssistance.
• You can request the paper application or help in other languages by emailing StrongWindsAssistance@bouldercounty.org or see the application in English, Spanish, Russian, German, Nepali. See the info sheet in English, Spanish, Russian, German, Nepali.
• The paper form can be scanned or photographed and emailed to StrongWindsAssistance@bouldercounty.org.
• If you need help with the application, please email StrongWindsAssistance@bouldercounty.org.
• After we review your application, you will receive an email indicating whether you qualify for the assistance.
• Please be patient: we will respond as quickly as we can!

FEMA Assistance for Residents & Businesses

March 2 was the last day for Marshall Fire impacted individuals to apply for FEMA loans.

Contact FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

Small Business Administration

The deadline to file for economic injury loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) has been extended to September 30, 2022. March 2 was the last day for Marshall Fire impacted individuals to apply for FEMA and/or SBA physical damage loans.

For more information, contact the SBA:

• www.disasterloanassistance.sba.gov
• Phone: 1-800-659-2955
• Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the federal government declares their location to be a major disaster area. Depending on the circumstances, the IRS may grant additional time to file returns and pay taxes. Both individuals and businesses in a federally declared disaster area can get a faster refund by claiming losses related to the disaster on the tax return for the previous year, usually by filing an amended return.

For more information from the IRS regarding assistance during a disaster, please visit IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses.

Post-Fire Smoke Impacts

If your house is still intact but was affected by smoke, please refer to How to Mitigate Post-Fire Smoke Impacts in Your Home by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Staying Healthy After a Fire

• Do not disturb ash or debris from fires
• An N95 or equivalent mask is strongly recommended when you’re cleaning your home and if you’re outdoors in burn areas.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Most face coverings worn to protect against COVID-19 are not adequate to protect against the fine ash particles created by a fire.
• Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and avoid harsh chemical cleaners – stick with soap and water.
• Only use vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter.
• Take off your shoes before entering your home to avoid spreading ash.
• Get your HVAC ducts professionally cleaned as soon as you can.
  • Replace your HVAC filters as soon as they appear soiled.
  • Use the highest level of filtration recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Consider an activated carbon pre-filter to reduce odors.
• Test your fire and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they work properly.
• If you are using a combustion space heater, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidance for ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.
  • Never leave the house or sleep while combustion space heaters are operating.
• Thoroughly check all visible plumbing fixtures and piping for leaks and be alert for signs of broken pipes inside the walls – especially exterior walls.

Health Insurance

Connect for Health Colorado

The Disaster Relief Special Enrollment Period for those impacted by the Marshall Fire ended on March 16. However, you can still sign up for health insurance in 2022 through Connect for Health Colorado if you experience a Life Change Event such as marriage, the birth of a child, loss of coverage, and changes to income. See if you can still enroll through a Special Enrollment Period.

If you need assistance finding available health insurance, Boulder County Health Coverage Guides offer free, unbiased and confidential support. Schedule an appointment.

Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus don’t have an open enrollment period, and may be applied for and enrolled in when eligible, throughout the year. Learn more.

Additional Resources

• Air & Water Quality After a Fire
• After the Disaster Guidebook
• Food Safety After a Fire
• How to Mitigate Post-Fire Smoke Impacts in Your Home
• Tetanus Risk & First Aid After a Fire
• Learn potential health impacts of exposure to wildfire smoke
• Learn how to safely clean up after a fire

Help for Renters and Landlords

The City of Boulder’s Community Mediation and Resolution Center can help renters and landlords navigate the impacts of the Marshall Fire. See their flyer, Tips for Landlords and Tenants in Navigating Rental Issues Following Wind and Fire Damage, for details or contact them at 303-441-4364 to find out about how they can help.

Community Partners

Help, including financial assistance, may also be available through community non-profit organizations such as Sister Carmen Community Center in Lafayette, EFAA in Boulder, and OUR Center in Longmont.

Property Insurance Coverage

If your property is damaged or destroyed, the guidance provided below will help you get started on the road to recovery, make good decisions, and keep moving forward:

• United Policyholders:
  • Marshall Fire insurance and recovery support
  • Additional Insurance Resources for Colorado
• Colorado Division of Insurance:
  • Marshall Fire Response
  • FAQs on Underinsurance
  • Guidelines for insurers handling claims resulting from the Marshall Fire
  • Consumer Advisory: Boulder County Fires – Improving Policyholders’ Experiences

Each insurance provider and policy is different, so be sure to reach out to your specific provider for more information about your coverage options for cleanup and the options for the future of your property.

Frequently Asked Insurance Questions

• Underinsurance: In response to the needs of those affected by the Marshall Fire, the Colorado Division of Insurance (the Division) has posted a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Underinsurance. The Division is aware that many homeowners impacted by the Marshall Fire are concerned that they may not be fully insured for partial or total losses, which is commonly referred to as “underinsurance.” These FAQs were developed based on questions the Division received during its January 4 town hall and questions Division staff have received at the Disaster Assistance Center.
• Additional Living Expenses: The Colorado Division of Insurance has posted a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage that is part of many homeowners and renters insurance policies. Also called “Coverage D – Additional Living Expenses (or Loss of Use),” the purpose of ALE is to help you if your home is a total loss or rendered uninhabitable due to damage.

Find more information about insurance and the Marshall Fire on the Division’s Marshall Fire Response website. You can reach the Division’s Consumer Services Team by calling 303-894-7490, or by sending an email to DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.

Bridge to Justice

Provides civil legal services for people who do not quality for legal aid, but are below the Area Median Income. Some services are free and some are charged at below market rates. Call: 303-443-1038

Boulder County Bar Association

Boulder County Bar Association will be operating a Disaster Legal Services (DLS) hotline, a federal disaster assistance program that provides free legal services to low-income individuals and businesses. The DLS hotline at 1-877-370-1216 operates Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the Boulder Bar Association’s website at www.boulder-bar.org and fill out an intake form. They also provide free legal advice appointments with volunteer attorneys on a variety of issues. Apply online at www.boulder-bar.org/ or call 303-440-4758.

Boulder County Legal Services/Colorado Legal Services

Provides civil legal services to low-income and senior (60 and over) residents of Boulder county. Apply online at: www.coloradolegalservices.org/node/76/boulder-county-fire-help-available or call: 303-449-7575

Rocky Mountain Legal Center

Providing replacement or new estate planning documents at no cost for people affected by the Marshall Fire. Call: 720-242-8642.

One of the key lessons learned from previous wildfire and flood disasters is that these events can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being. And it impacts everyone differently and at different times, sometimes right away and sometimes months later. Adults and children across the community who were impacted by the fires may experience normal stress response symptoms like mood swings, sleep disruption, and other stress reactions.

View steps you can take to ensure that you are taking care of your emotional needs during this time of crisis.

• American Psychological Association – Recovering Emotionally from Disaster
• Boulder Valley School District Updates & Resources
• Colorado Crisis Services at 1 (844) 493-8255, or text “TALK” to 38255, to speak with a professional counselor about any area where you could use support for yourself or a loved one, from loneliness and isolation, to stress, relationship issues, substance use and other common concerns.
• Community Health Workers – virtual team of Mental Health Partner’s providers who are available on Facebook
• CSU Extension – Coping with Natural Disasters
• Disability and Disaster Hotline – 1-800-626-4959 (call/text)
• Disaster Distress Hotline – 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. A 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
• FEMA/Red Cross – Helping children cope with disaster
• I Matter: Offering free mental health sessions for any youth in the state, largely available via telehealth.
• Jewish Family Service and Community Foundation Boulder County have partnered to offer counseling services to Boulder County residents in response to the wildfires and the pandemic. JFS is also offering group sessions to reduce traumatic stress for those impacted by the Marshall Fire for adults and teens. Group sessions are both virtual and in-person for anyone impacted by the Marshall Fire, including those with damaged and destroyed homes, and those in close proximity to damaged areas.
• Mental Health Partners – 1-844-493-TALK (8255) available 24/7
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) – Services for traumatized children, their families and communities.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
• Ready.gov – Coping with Disaster
• Rise Against Suicide – 720-212-7527, free mental health therapy for young people 0-19
• SAMSHA Disaster Distress Hotline – 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• University of Colorado Boulder – Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) 303-492-2277; Case Management
• Victim Advocate Line – 303-441-3656

View information and resources on Marshall Fire Rebuilding and Repairs in Unincorporated Boulder County. See also proposed update to the Building Code (ignition resistant requirements for construction) in Wildfire Zone 2 (the eastern half of Boulder County).

For questions on Marshall Fire rebuilding in unincorporated Boulder County, please email MarshallRebuilding@bouldercounty.org. (View City of Louisville or Town of Superior rebuilding information.)

Rebuilding

Rebuilding Coordinators, who will help property owners navigate the rebuilding process and answer questions, will be assigned to each Marshall Fire property owner or their agent. To get connected to your assigned Rebuilding Coordinator, please email MarshallRebuilding@bouldercounty.org

Property owners who are rebuilding the same structure that was lost in the fire (i.e., original location and footprint, same floor area or smaller, same height or shorter) may move forward immediately and apply for a building permit, so long as they commit to rebuild with additional wildfire resiliency measures. Property owners who wish to make changes to the pre-existing structure may proceed under streamlined review (instead of Site Plan Review) if the modifications fall within the defined parameters. For more detailed information on rebuilding, please visit the Marshall Fire Rebuilding in Unincorporated Boulder County webpage.

BuildSmart

All new construction in Boulder County will need to adhere to the regulations within BuildSmart, the county’s building code requirements and energy efficiency code. Please contact building@bouldercounty.org to ask questions and learn more about BuildSmart and other building code requirements. Additionally, EnergySmart, Boulder County’s residential energy advising service, is offering free expert guidance on building a high-performance home to homeowners impacted by the Marshall Fire. To speak with an EnergySmart advisor, call 303-544-1000 or email info@EnergySmartYes.com.

RebuildingBetter.org provides resources for planning, designing, and constructing high-performance homes that are cleaner, more comfortable, and more resilient to climate change impacts.

Community Meetings

• • Jan. 19 Rebuilding in Unincorporated Boulder County Video
  • Feb. 9 Rebuilding in Unincorporated Boulder County Video
  • Feb. 9 Rebuilding in Unincorporated Boulder County Presentation
  • Feb. 23 Article 19 Provisions – Unincorporated Boulder County Video
  • Feb. 23 Article 19 Provisions – Unincorporated Boulder County Presentation
  • Feb. 23 Article 19 Provisions – Unincorporated Boulder County Meeting Summary
  • April 11, 2022 Marshall Fire rebuilding BuildSmart energy efficiency presentation and video recording

Resources

• Resolution 2022-029, approving Land Use Code Docket DC-22-0001, effective March 29, 2022
• Rebuilding Guide: Marshall Fire Rebuilding in Unincorporated Boulder County
• FAQs from Jan. 19 Community Meeting on rebuilding in Unincorporated Boulder County
• Article 19 (Procedures Following Disasters) of the Land Use Code
• EnergySmart: Incentives, support, and education about building a high performance home

Vital Records

Researchers are currently gathering data to learn more about how the fire spread, effective remediation, etc. Boulder County is not partnering with any individual researcher. If you are interested in conducting research following the Marshall Fire, please consider contacting CU’s Natural Hazards Center (email Amelia Brackett with CU at Amelia.Brackett@colorado.edu) before heading into the field. The NHC can provide connections with other researchers and resources for fire-related disaster research.

Scams & Fraud

Be cautious about scams and fraud after a disaster. Use these resources to protect yourself.

• Boulder County District Attorney’s Office – Community Protection Division
  • Marshall Fire Scams and Resources information sheet
• File a complaint – Colorado Attorney General’s Office
• FEMA – Be alert to fraud after a disaster
• Stop Fraud Colorado

The Sheriff’s Office has information available regarding the Marshall Fire focusing on topics such as emergency alerts, 9-1-1 dispatch, body worn camera videos, etc. View the Sheriff’s Office Marshall Fire website.

Results from testing conducted by Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) in areas affected by the Marshall fire show the levels of metals and asbestos in the soil do not pose a significant health risk and are, in most cases, consistent with surrounding areas that were not impacted by the fire. View the complete results.

Louisville Soil Testing Updates

Assessing the Safety of your Garden After a Fire – flowchart

Weed Management After a Fire – FAQs

Land Management After a Fire – FAQs (from the Calwood Fire)

Please visit the Marshall Fire-Related Transportation and Transit Resources page for up-to-date information regarding transportation resources for those affected by the Marshall Fire.

Please see Information for Displaced Voters for detailed options on updating your voter registration if you have been displaced by the Marshall Fire.

Water Quality by Location

Boulder County Water Quality Information

• Wells
• Septic

Louisville Water Quality Information

Superior Water Quality Information