Rebuilding Stronger, One Year Since the Flood
Coloradans have shown time and again that we are not defined by tragedies and disasters, but rather by how we stand united to face them and rebuild together as one community. From the first rainfall in September 2013 until the flood subsided, this unprecedented disaster tested our strength. Though this destruction shook us, it did not break us. In the face of disaster, Coloradans banded together to be there for one another and begin the difficult process of rebuilding.
As I met with Coloradans in towns like Jamestown and Lyons in the wake of the flood, I was inspired by their resiliency and their courage. And I was heartened to see the selflessness of the volunteers helping out at disaster recovery centers in Loveland, Longmont and Greeley.
I’m also thankful for the heroic efforts of our brave first responders and the Colorado National Guard, who worked day and night to rescue thousands of Coloradans and save countless lives. I witnessed firsthand a search and rescue operation carried out by the Colorado National Guard in the Big Thompson Canyon, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their valor.
With Coloradans by my side, I was proud to lead the effort in Washington to secure more than $770 million to help our communities, families and businesses recover, including $450 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to rebuild our damaged roads, highways and bridges stronger than before. Thanks to the certainty these funds provided — and the speedy work by recovery crews — we were able to reopen all 27 damaged highways ahead of schedule.
While we’ve made tremendous progress to rebuild stronger and smarter, there’s still more to do, including protecting our communities and water supplies from future disasters. I recently saw firsthand the important progress Jamestown, Boulder, Manitou Springs, Longmont and other communities have made to ensure future floods do not threaten Coloradans' lives, homes and businesses. Rebuilding smarter is key to our long-term prosperity, and projects like these will help keep Colorado safe should disaster strike again.
As we reflect on the progress we’ve made since the flood, remember that Colorado is at its best when we stand together to face our shared challenges. As your senior U.S. senator, I promise to always stand up for you and for our state in Washington, and to do all that I can to safeguard our special way of life.