County officials will be meeting with state and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to go through all the expenses that were incurred related to the severe storms that took place across the state between June 8 and June 23. 

President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for the State of Colorado on Aug. 25 to provide funding to several counties for their efforts to make repairs in their communities. 

Douglas, Elbert, Cheyenne, El Paso, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties — which saw flooding, severe storms and tornadoes — are receiving federal assistance. 

Colorado was approved for FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program. 

After an event like a tornado, earthquake, wildfire or flooding, the assistance program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial and local governments. 

Following the declaration, FEMA officials and public assistance experts will work with the state and counties to formally go through expenses from the damage assessment. 

“We write out everything,” said Micki Trost, a state communications director for the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, when it comes to damage and recovery. “And then that’s approved by FEMA.”

The funding is aimed at "qualifying expenses" for public infrastructure and does not include assistance to individuals, according to an email from Trost.

"The public assistance grant is intended to address emergency and permanent work for government infrastructure and certain nonprofit organizations," said Shane Pynes, Elbert County's director of emergency management. "Currently, it is not intended for private businesses or property owners."

In late June, an EF1 tornado caused damage to trees, buildings and homes in Highlands Ranch. (EF1 tornadoes bring winds at 86 to 110 mph.)

At the end of June and early July, FEMA officials came to Douglas County to survey the damage. 

Through the damage assessment, they were able to verify that there was enough damage to include the county in the disaster declaration and to assist with reimbursing the county for up to 75% of eligible projects. 

According to FEMA’s website, cost is the funding tied directly to eligible work which must be documented, authorized and reasonable. Eligible costs include materials, labor equipment, contract work and direct and indirect administrative costs. 

Counties must provide documentation to FEMA and the state that money has been spent and the repairs have been made before reimbursement is made. 

“After that is submitted and approved by FEMA, then they will begin the reimbursement of those costs up to 75%,” said Trost. “It’s to support the country so they can get back some of those disaster expenses.”

There is no set amount of cap for the amount of funding a county will receive. 

When officials do the damage assessment, they get a good idea of how much is eligible for reimbursement, said Trost. Then with county officials, they will fill out what they call a project worksheet which provides recipes for expenses. 

The reimbursement only covers non-insured losses. 

Insured costs, such as damage to Douglas County schools, are not eligible for reimbursement because they have already been paid by an insurance company. 

“What happens is FEMA allocates money in that amount based on those written and agreed upon project worksheets,” said Trost. 

Certain types of private nonprofit organizations that quickly responded to the emergency and have qualified expenses can go through the same process with FEMA. 

Additionally, most disasters in Colorado take five to 10 years for projects to be completed and for all the reimbursements to take place, said Trost. 

“It isn’t something that's going to be over really quick,” said Trost. “I think Douglas County might go a little faster because a lot of the work has been done.” 

However, there are still repairs throughout the county that need to be completed. 

Trost said there will be a better idea on the actual allocations around the end of September for Douglas County. 

In June, an Elbert County news release said "assessment of several bridges that may have been impacted by flowing debris and scouring of streambeds" was underway.

"During this flooding event, segments of 16 roads were closed," the Elbert release said.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are also available to certain private nonprofits in Colorado following Biden’s federal disaster declaration, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Private nonprofits should contact Trost by calling 303-472-4087 or by emailing micki.trost@state.co.us or visiting dhsem.colorado.gov, the SBA's news release said.

FEMA will determine whether the private nonprofit provides an “essential governmental service” and is a “critical facility” as defined by law, the release said.

"If so, FEMA may provide the private nonprofit with a Public Assistance grant for their eligible costs," the release said. "If not, FEMA may refer the private nonprofit to SBA for disaster loan assistance."