DENVER – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced $4.4 million in additional funding for COVID-19 response efforts undertaken by the City and County of Denver. The assistance was made available under the major disaster declaration issued March 28 by President Trump.
This expedited funding is being provided to Denver for estimated costs related to establishing and promoting COVID-19 testing sites at the Pepsi Center and other locations. The funding is for work that was completed between May 1 and August 1. Additional assistance may be provided when all costs for the project have been reconciled.
These funds supported enhanced testing efforts in Denver, a critical component in helping to control the spread of COVID-19,” 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 pandemic 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, tribal and local officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.
To date, FEMA has provided more than $105.7 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.