Colorado Gov. Jared Polis blasted President Trump’s handling of disaster requests after FEMA denied two major presidential disaster declarations for wildfires and historic flooding in southwestern Colorado, saying the decisions amount to political games.

Trump rejected Colorado’s requests for federal disaster relief after the Elk and Lee fires and the Western Slope floods this summer, triggering official appeals from state leaders.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the administration, saying FEMA reviews disaster requests with care, that federal aid should supplement state response, and that there is no politicization in the process.

Disaster declarations would have unlocked FEMA funding to support ongoing recovery for residents and businesses affected by the fires in Rio Blanco County and the October floods in La Plata and Archuleta counties.

Colorado officials say the state has invested more than $57.5 million in responding to the fires, floods, and related disasters since mid-2024 and cannot sustain recovery without federal support.

Polis, along with Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, said the denial must be appealed and stressed the urgent need for federal assistance for affected communities.

Lawmakers vowed to pursue every available step to appeal the denial, underscoring the urgency of federal support to sustain recovery efforts.

The Elk and Lee fires together burned over 150,000 acres, caused extensive damage, destroyed structures, and included the Lee fire among Colorado’s largest wildfires on record at containment.

In October, tropical-storm-driven floods caused more than $13 million in damage in southwestern Colorado, prompting evacuations and high-water rescues.

A White House spokesperson reiterated that disaster reviews are careful and that federal aid is supplementary, insisting there is no politicization in the disaster-declaration process.

Officials argued the fires and flooding appeared to exceed FEMA’s criteria for major presidential declarations, while the White House stressed careful evaluation under the Stafford Act.

Polis and Democratic senators pledged to appeal the denials, urging Congress and federal agencies to support rebuilding and resilience for Coloradans.