Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) has announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program will make $10,240,800 available to Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs for the purposes of restoration and flood mitigation after severe weather impacted the region last year. Gardner sent a letter on July 10, 2015 to President Obama requesting federal assistance for several counties in Colorado impacted by significant weather events.

“I am pleased the Department of Agriculture has recognized Colorado’s need for federal assistance that will be used to restore the region and make infrastructure improvements to protect local communities from future flooding,” said Gardner. “Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs experienced recent flooding that devastated these localities. The impacts from the Waldo Canyon fire only made the problem worse. Western communities need flexibility to cope with the unique challenges they face, and I am pleased this grant provides local officials the necessary funds to address flooding as they see fit.”