DENVER – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced $12.4 million in additional funding for COVID-19 response efforts in Colorado. The assistance was made available under the major disaster declaration issued March 28 by President Trump.
The funding is being provided to Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for purchases of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other supplies to be distributed statewide through June 30. This follows two similar previously announced awards of $26.9 million, bringing the total for PPE and supplies to $39.3 million.
“Medical responders and equipment are vital in the battle against COVID-19 and these funds are helping Colorado on both fronts,” said FEMA Region 8 Administrator Lee dePalo.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides funding for emergency actions undertaken by communities to protect public safety, providing at least a 75 percent funding share for eligible costs. Remaining costs are the responsibility of the state and local applicants for assistance.
For the COVID-19 response, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow local officials to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements can play a critical role as state, local and tribal officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.
To date, FEMA has provided more than $99 million in Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in Colorado. Additional support has come in the form of mission assignments, where FEMA directs another federal agency to perform work to address needs identified by the state.