The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Colorado's request for disaster loans after the Aspen Acres Fire and the burn scar flooding that followed in Pueblo and Custer counties. Governor Jared Polis announced the approval Friday.

The loans can help homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits pay for damage and losses from the fire that insurance did not cover.

"Coloradans recovering from the Aspen Acres Fire deserve every opportunity to rebuild and bounce back. Colorado moved quickly to secure this assistance, and now families and businesses can apply for low-interest loans to repair homes, replace belongings, and reopen doors. I encourage affected Coloradans to explore these resources and get the support needed to move forward," said Governor Polis.

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Eligible homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace homes with verified damage not covered by insurance. Homeowners and renters can seek up to $100,000 to replace damaged belongings. Businesses can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property, inventories, machinery and other equipment. This money helps businesses meet their financial obligations during recovery.

The SBA offers four kinds of help for the Aspen Acres Fire.

Business Physical Disaster Loans help businesses repair or replace damaged property they own. This includes real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size can apply. Private nonprofit groups, such as charities, churches and private universities, can also apply.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are working capital loans. They help small businesses, small farm cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofits of all sizes pay ordinary and necessary bills they cannot pay because of the disaster. These loans are meant to help through the recovery period.

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Home Disaster Loans help homeowners or renters repair or replace damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

Mitigation Improvements funds may be added when a loan is approved. This money can pay for improvements that protect the property from future damage. The amount is based on physical damage to real property.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are also open to businesses in the nearby counties of Crowley, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, Lincoln, Otero and Saguache. The state says the fire's effects reach beyond the burn scar to businesses in those counties.

The SBA will open two in-person loan centers on Monday, October 19. SBA staff will answer questions and help residents, property owners, renters, business owners and nonprofits apply.

In Pueblo County, the Disaster Loan Outreach Center is at the Pueblo County Government Services Center, 201 West 8th St., Suite 310, Pueblo, Colorado, 81003. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In Custer County, the Disaster Loan Outreach Center is at the Wetmore Community Library, 95 County Rd. 393, Wetmore, Colorado, 81253, at the junction of Highway 67 and Highway 96. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Aspen Acres Fire began June 29. Governor Polis declared a state disaster emergency and sent the Colorado National Guard. On August 23, the Governor asked for a Major Disaster Declaration for the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires and the flooding that followed. Federal Public Assistance was approved September 4. On September 18, federal officials denied Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding.

On October 9, Governor Polis announced Colorado's request for SBA help. The state chose not to appeal the Individual Assistance denial so it would not delay access to disaster loans. The state is appealing the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program denial.

The deadline to apply for physical damage loans is December 14, 2026. The deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for the Aspen Acres Fire is July 14, 2027.

State recovery information and updates about the in-person loan centers are available from the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at mars.colorado.gov/state-disasters/dr4944.

To apply for SBA disaster loans, visit lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=Colorado-20032.