On Friday, September 25, Archuleta County declared a local disaster emergency after severe flooding that began around September 14 damaged roads, bridges, culverts, and other public infrastructure in southwest Archuleta County. The declaration activates the County Emergency Operations Plan, unlocks state and federal assistance, and speeds emergency purchasing.
It remains in effect for seven days unless the Board of County Commissioners extends it.
DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER
WHEREAS, Section 24-33.5-709 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) provides that the principal executive offrcer of a political subdivision, in this case, the County Manager for Archuleta County, Colorado, a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, is authorized to declare a local disaster; and
WHEREAS, beginning on or about September 14, 2026, the County of Archuleta experienced severe flooding resulting from heavy precipitation, causing widespread damage to roads, bridges, culverts, and other public infrastructure, and posing a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of residents; and
WHEREAS, the magnitude of this event has exceeded the County’s capacity to respond with available resources, and immediate action is necessary to protect life and property and maintain critical infrastructure and public safety; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to 24-33.5-709, C.R.S. the local disaster declaration shall not be continued or renewed for a period in excess of seven days except by the Board of County Commissioners of Archuleta County (“Board”) as the governing board of the political subdivision; and
WHEREAS, a declaration of local disaster emergency activates the response and recovery provisions of the County’s Emergency Operations Plan and allows the County to access mutual aid, request state and federal assistance, and expedite emergency procurement consistent with law;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS DECLARED THAT:
1. As the principal executive officer of Archuleta County, I, Longinos Gonzalez, Jr., County Manager, hereby declare that there is a local disaster in Archuleta County, that this disaster requires immediate action to protect public peace, health and safety and this disaster is of such magnitude as to be beyond local control and requires the resources of the State of Colorado to protect the health, safety and welfare of Archuleta County residents and businesses.
2.The effect of this declaration of local disaster shall be to activate the response and recovery aspects of any and all applicable local and inter-jurisdictional disaster emergency plans and to authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance under such plans.
3. A Local Disaster Emergency is hereby declared in Archuleta County, Colorado, effective upon the date and time given below and shall remain in effect for seven (7) days unless extended or terminated by formal action of the Board of County Commissioners.
4. The County Administrator and County Emergency Manager are authorized and directed to:
. Implement emergency operations and mutual-aid agreements;
. Utilize County resources as needed for protection of life and property;
. Enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat the emergency;
. Coordinate with municipal, state, tribal, and federal partners for assistance and recovery funding.
5. All procurement and contracting actions taken under this declaration shall comply with Colorado law and be documented for audit and public inspection under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA, C.R.S. S 24-72-201 et seq.).
6. This declaration shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk and Recorder, the County Emergency Management Office, and the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, and shall be given prompt and general publicity through appropriate media and the County’s website.
ADOPTED AND DECLARED this 25 day of September, 2026.
Longinos Gonzalez Jr
Archuleta County Manager