News Article

Colorado's Office of Emergency Management Seeks Responses from Disaster Survivors

The State of Colorado’s Office of Emergency Management is asking individuals who have been impacted by one or more disasters that occurred since 2018 to share their experiences by completing a Disaster Survivor Survey. Survey responses will help the Office of Emergency Management and partner agencies better understand, address and respond to disaster events. 

May Resiliency Conversation: May is Wildfire Awareness Month

Although natural wildfires are crucial to the regeneration of grasslands and forestlands, 85% of wildfires, including some of the most damaging ones in Colorado’s history, have been caused by humans, either intentionally or by accident. Long-term drought, low humidity, large scale invasive insect infestations, and historical over-suppression of fires (resulting in an abundance of understory fuels) have resulted in more frequent, intense, and destructive fires.

April 2024 Resiliency Conversation: Planning Ahead for Water Uncertainty

Even as Colorado sits at close to 100% of average snowpack at the twilight of ski season, water availability and management remains top of mind for community leaders across the state. Water availability impacts everything including wildfire concerns, human health, the health of aquatic ecosystems, key water infrastructure, agriculture, and the state’s $62.5 billion per year outdoor recreation industry.

Resiliency Roadmap Implementation Grants Summary

In late 2023, the Department of Local Affairs in partnership with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade Rural Opportunity Office launched funding through the Rural Technical Assistance Program. Each of the Regional Community Teams that took part in the Resiliency Roadmaps Program were eligible for this non-competitive $41,000 award to advance a component of their Roadmap strategies – fulfilling our promise to communities that these plans would not just sit on a shelf.

February Resiliency Conversation: Federal Grant Compliance and Monitoring

In this time of historic Federal funding through programs such as the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), there is a lot of opportunity for local communities to make investments in their infrastructure that will last for generations to come and help set us up to be resilient to potential impacts of the future. However, drawing down this funding takes a lot of effort, such as technical expertise, administrative capacity, grant compliance and more. This can be a challenge for smaller communities with less access to resources. 

January 2024 Resiliency Conversation

We are exploring this very concept in this year’s Colorado Resiliency Summit. This year we are diving into “Stories of Resilience: Uniting for Climate Adaptation.” So often we seek traditional solutions to solving our complex and diverse community needs, and we usually outsource additional resources outside our communities to build our capacity.

November Resiliency Conversation: Collaboration to Build Capacity

Collaboration can be a powerful tool for positive change, as well as building capacity, particularly in rural communities in Colorado. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, local businesses, and community members, we can pool resources, expertise, and ideas to address the unique challenges faced by rural areas.

October Resiliency Conversation: Storytelling for Resilience

The power of storytelling weaves a tapestry of resilience throughout the vast and diverse communities in Colorado. As communities grapple with the profound impacts of climate change, narratives of strength, adaptation, and unity emerge as guiding beacons. Through the art of storytelling, Coloradans share tales of overcoming adversity, forging alliances in the face of environmental challenges, and finding innovative solutions to ensure a sustainable future.

Public Safety Funding Opportunities at DLG

Did you know that DLG manages seven programs in our Public Safety Portfolio, providing over $20 million for a range of activities through local governments and local nonprofits? These activities include improving public facilities, supporting non-profit organizations, and enforcing marijuana regulations. 

Governor Polis has put forth ambitious strategies to help Colorado become one of the top ten safest states in the nation. The Division of Local Government (DLG) supports your local initiatives through various ongoing programs.

The Colorado Division of Local Government

1313 Sherman Street
Suite 521
Denver, CO, 80203

Email: dola_dlg_helpdesk@state.co.us

Phone: 303-864-7720

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