BOCO To Close In-Person Disaster Assistance Center on Saturday

LAFAYETTE, CO —Boulder County has announced that the Boulder County Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) in Lafayette —which was set up just days after the Marshall Fire — will close to in-person services on Saturday. However, some federal and state operations will remain at the same location.

The DAC, located at the Boulder County Southeast County Hub at 1755 S. Public Road, will close at 5 p.m. Saturday. Since it was set up on January 3, the center has helped well over 2,000 people with more than $5 million in direct financial assistance and over $30 million in disaster loans. It also has helped people with claims filing, cleanup and debris removal, mental health services and other immediate needs, according to Boulder County.

The DAC has featured both national and local organizations like: the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boulder County Housing and Human Services, Mental Health Partners and Community Cultural Brokers in addition to the City of Louisville and the Town of Superior.

"We are deeply moved by the collaboration we have seen here at the Boulder County Disaster Assistance Center," said Boulder County Housing and Human Services Interim Co-Director Paul Jannatpour. "Teams of people from every one of these organizations have poured heart and soul into responding to our community following the devastation of the Marshall Fire, and while we have a long way to go in recovery, we have a strong foundation from which to begin that work. Our focus will continue to be on helping our neighbors through this unbelievably difficult time."

According to officials, the response to the Marshall Fire now shifts to the longer-term recovery in the aftermath of the disaster.

Those who have been displaced or otherwise impacted by the Marshall Fire still will be able to get assistance and information online at Boulder County website. Plus, additional targeted outreach and support will occur for community members who need help and recovery, the county said.

Meanwhile, the jointly located federal/state Disaster Recovery Center, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), along with multiple state agencies, will continue to operate in the south half of the building at the Boulder County Southeast County Hub in Lafayette. Hours will remain 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily until further notice.

At that location, individuals can apply for assistance with FEMA and get updates on their individual cases. SBA customer-service reps also are on hand to answer questions and help businesses and individuals apply for low-interest disaster loans and close their approved disaster loans, the county said.

On Thursday, the Community Foundation of Boulder began offering a new round of financial assistance for those who suffered work or wage disruption from the fire. The county urges anyone impacted by the fire to fill out the online financial assistance form.

Assistance with debris removal and cleanup, rebuilding and other services also is available, the county said.