Denver, CO --

• Colorado received a federal disaster declaration June 19 because of wildfires burning throughout the state. The declaration covers 56 counties and two Indian reservations.
  
  
• All areas were designated for the Individual Assistance Program, which provides assistance to eligible households and businesses in the form of grants or low-interest loans.
  
  
• To date, 2,098 residents and businesses have registered for disaster assistance.
  
  
• More than $165,000 has been approved for individuals to assist with temporary housing and minor home repairs.
  
  
• State officials have approved more than $208,000 in funds for Individual and Family Grant (IFG) assistance. IFG may be used to cover disaster-related expenses, such as essential home repairs, replacement of personal property, transportation, and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other programs.
  
  
• Individuals and businesses may apply for disaster assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) toll-free registration line at
  1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired individuals. Lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
  
  
• Federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers are located in Durango and Woodland Park. At these centers, individuals can meet face-to-face with disaster recovery officials to ask questions about disaster assistance.
  
  
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $1 million in low-interest disaster assistance loans.
  
  
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available through the Colorado Department of Labor for those who lost income because of the disaster and are not covered by regular unemployment programs, including farmers, farm workers, and other self-employed persons. The deadline for filing an application is July 24.
  
  
• The American Red Cross has operated 18 shelters housing 1,605 people. No shelters are currently operating. The Red Cross has also provided 146,791 meals and snacks. The Red Cross has provided financial assistance to 806 households affected by the fires.
  
  
• The Salvation Army has served a total of 280,207 meals and snacks to date. They are supporting the Disaster Recovery Centers with bottled water and refreshments. They are also providing emergency financial assistance and pastoral care at Glenwood Springs, Cañon City, Castle Rock and Woodland Park. There are also mobile outreach units operating in the Hayman fire area.
  
  
• Areas included in the disaster declaration include the counties of Adams, Alamosa, Arapahoe, Archuleta, Baca, Bent, Boulder, Broomfield (including city), Chaffee, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Delta, Denver (including city), Dolores, Douglas, Eagle, Elbert, El Paso, Fremont, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jefferson, Ki...