releases: https://web.archive.org/web/20131206063403/http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=3854
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://web.archive.org/web/20131206063403/http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=3854 | Getting Back on Our Feet | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | CO | Mark Udall | U000038 | web.archive.org | legacy | Posted: Thursday, November 14, 2013 Click here to receive these regular updates via email. Dear Fellow Coloradan, When September’s heavy rains turned into historic floods, we knew the damage would be extensive and that the road to recovery would be long. But Coloradans are tough. And during difficult times we know that it’s by banding together that we can overcome any challenge. That’s why when rising flood waters cut off towns like Estes Park, Lyons and Jamestown from the outside world, Coloradans pitched in to help our neighbors in need. And when we began the long process of rebuilding, we pledged to do so stronger and smarter than before. With Coloradans by my side, I’ve been fighting to make sure we keep this promise. But households and business owners from Evergreen to Evans and Aurora to Estes Park have been left with few options. This 1,000-year flood damaged tens of thousands of homes and businesses, even those that were miles, in some cases, from the nearest rivers and streams. I saw this in my own neighborhood in Eldorado Canyon and heard the heart-wrenching stories of these tragedies when I visited communities along the Front Range and throughout the foothills. Tragically, only 2,000 of the more than 27,000 families and businesses affected by the flood had flood insurance. Many of these families and business owners have been left with few options, but there is help available. I want to make sure all affected Coloradans know this important information: The IRS is offering tax relief to flood victims. Individuals and business owners can go back and amend their previous year’s tax filing, deduct losses incurred due to flood damage and likely get a larger tax refund. Home and business owners with loans and mortgages should work directly with their financial institutions to explore options such as principal forgiveness and forbearance. These options may make sense for borrowers who think the value of their property is less than what they owe on their mortgage or borrowers who may need to temporarily suspend their mortgage payments due to hardship caused by the disaster. Homeowners can apply to the Home Affordable Refinance Program or the Home Affordable Modification Program. These programs are designed to assist homeowners in refinancing their mortgages – even if they owe more than their home’s current value. Home and business owners should visit the Colorado United website, the official state of Colorado portal for flood relief and recovery efforts, to learn about the availability of recovery resources, including temporary housing, no-cost electrical damage and plumbing assessments, and information on rebuilding houses and businesses. Coloradans residing in the 11 counties with federal disaster declarations may be eligible for FEMA Disaster Assistance. Disaster Assistance helps with critical expenses and losses that are not covered by insurance. Homeowners, renters and businesses are also eligible for Small Business Administration low-interest, disaster assistance loans. Please make sure to remember that the deadline to apply is Saturday, November 30, 2013. In the coming weeks and months Colorado will receive an allocation of Community Development Block Grants – Disaster Relief funds from the federal government which the state will administer through the Department of Local Affairs for recovery and rebuilding purposes. These funds will be an important source of Colorado’s rebuilding efforts. A portion of these funds could aid homeowners and business owners working to rebuild. For more information on these and other resources available to flood victims, please visit my flood resource page at markudall.senate.gov/floods. We in the West pride ourselves on our independence and rugged individualism, but Colorado has shown the nation that we are at our best when we stand together to confront our shared challenges. We still have a ways to go, but I will keep fighting to ensure Coloradans struggling to get back on their feet have all the tools they need to rebuild and recover. Warm regards, Tags: e-newsletter | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |