The Small Business Administration issued declaration CO-20032 on Oct. 14 for homeowners, renters and businesses in Custer and Pueblo counties, the fire-scarred counties where FEMA denied individual assistance last month.
A state origin report obtained through an open records request says an aspen tree blown onto energized conductors west of Highway 165 ignited the fire that destroyed 324 homes.
The Dec. 30, 2021 fire killed two people and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings. This year, Xcel settled a major lawsuit just before trial as the fifth anniversary approaches.
