Federal, state and local groups are ready to help residents who lost their homes, were displaced, or were affected by the devastating effects of the Marshall Fire.
FEMA has made disaster assistance available to Marshall Fire victims, and they can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Resources for emergency food and other assistance are available through the Community Foundation for Boulder County, the Jewish Community Center, Mental Health Partners, Sister Carmen, and the EFAA.
The wind-driven Marshall Fire tore through Superior, Louisville, and parts of unincorporated Boulder County Thursday, destroying an estimated 991 structures and damaging 106 homes. Two people are missing and are feared dead. The fire is fully contained.
It started around S. Cherryvale Road and Marshall Drive around 11 a.m. Thursday and prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. It grew to become the most destructive fire in Colorado history. The cause is still under investigation.
A preliminary list of structures lost can be found here. To self-report a damaged or destroyed structure that is not included on the preliminary list, visit boco.org/MarshallFireSelfReport.
The city of Louisville is in the process of creating a map of destroyed or damaged homes and it has compiled a list of resources available to residents. The map and resource page is available here.
Click here for latest evacuation information.
Local
Help your Boulder County Neighbors | Donate to Denver7 Gives Wildfire Fund
Note: Officials are asking the public not to bring any donations to shelters or fire and police departments.
Below is a list of additional resources and other important information available for Marshall Fire victims.
Boulder County Disaster Assistance Center
Boulder County and community partners have opened a Disaster Assistance Center to help people who lost homes in or were displaced by the Marshall Fire. They will have a range of services available, including property loss and filing claims for assistance, financial and food assistance, mental health supports, transportation, and more.
The center can help with the following services:
- Gift cards for buying food
- Help with transportation and vouchers
- Consultation on property loss and filing claims for assistance
- Referrals to emergency shelters
- COVID-19 tests
- Information about options for short- and long-term housing
The center is located at Boulder County Southeast County Hub at 1755 South Public Road in Lafayette. It initially operated from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Operating hours will be shortened to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Jan. 15.
It will likely stay open for 3-4 weeks to provide assistance to families displaced by the fires.
Marshall Fire Donations and Resource Center
The Boulder OEM has also opened an overall resource center for families affected by the fire which includes information on donations, volunteer opportunities and more. Donation drop offs can be done between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Tuesday, Jan. 11. Distribution and services for those affected will happen from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Wednesday, Jan. 12.
Donations and distribution will be happening at Flatirons Crossing Mall, the former Nordstrom’s location between Macy’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods, located at 21 W Flatiron Crossing Drive in Broomfield. Those wanting to donate are asked to use the center/north entrance, while those affected by the fire looking for donations are asked to use the west entrance, closer to Macy's.
Donations and current needs:
Donation drives: Organizations seeking to hold a concerted donation drive should consult the Needs List above, and consider contacting site management at the number listed above to discuss donations that will have the highest impact.
Bulk donations:
Bulk items arriving via truck must be scheduled in advance by calling 720-448-3211.
Volunteers:
Those interested in volunteering should visit: coloradoresponds.org.
Organizational Presence:
Organizations who have materials/services to offer affected individuals free of charge and are a member of a state or local VOAD may inquire about having a presence at the site using the number above. Organizations are prohibited from offering goods or services for sale, seeking monetary or in-kind donations from clients, or proselytizing, and must adhere to all site policies.
Food Resources
Food banks
People impacted by the Marshall Fire are invited to come to Community Food Share to get free groceries from 1 to 3 p.m. No documentation or proof of address are required at this time. Check back here often for updated times and dates.
The YMCA of Northern Colorado, which is still accepting donations (blankets, pillows, dog and cat food) at their location at 2800 Dagny Way in Lafayette. Click here for updates about what’s still needed for victims of the Marshall Fire.
Metro Care Ambulance Services is also collecting items to help people impacted by the wildfire. They're looking for items like toiletries, clothing, gift cards for food and supplies, durable water bottles, dry and canned pet food, phone chargers, toys for children, diapers, wipes and masks. Donations can be dropped off at Metro Care Ambulance Services, which is located at 11111 E. Mississippi Ave. in Aurora.
Housing Resources
Evacuation centers
There are several evacuation centers still active for people who lost their homes following the fire in Boulder County. The evacuation centers are:
- YMCA of Northern Colorado: 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette, CO 80026.
- Rocky Mountain Christian Church: 9447 Niwot Rd, Niwot, CO 80503N.
- Boulder Rec Center: 3170 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304
- Longmont Senior Center: 910 Longs Peak Ave, Longmont (not for overnight shelter)
- FOR ANIMALS: Jefferson County Fairgrounds: 15200 W 6th Ave Frontage Rd, Golden
- Mount Calvary Lutheran: 3485 Stanford Ct, Boulder, Colorado 80305 (For those who have tested positive for COVID-19)
- Westminster Calvary is open to anyone that has been evacuated by the Marshall Fire. The church is located at 10138 Wadsworth Pkwy #1000, in Westminster
Marshall Fire Housing Needs and Availability
A Facebook group called "Marshall Fire Housing Needs and Availability" was started to help those displaced by the Marshall Fire connect with those offering homes, rooms and office space. You can find the group here.
Denver Apartment Finders
With rebuilding expected to take some time, an immediate goal is finding housing for hundreds of people who may be in need of it. The owner and founder of Denver Apartment Finders helps people find apartments that fit their budget and needs without having to do any of the work. The entire process is free. They are now ready to help people in Boulder County find affordable options for housing.
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development disaster assistance
HUD announced on Tuesday the implementation of federal disaster assistance for areas impacted by the Marshall Fire. This means, effective immediately, HUD is:
- Providing immediate foreclosure relief for the counties in the major disaster declaration that President Biden issued on Jan. 1
- Making mortgage insurance available
- Making insurance available for both mortgages and home rehabilitation
- Sharing information on housing providers and HUD programs
- Providing flexibility to Community Planning and Development grantees. Contact information can be found here
- Providing flexibility to Public Housing Agencies. For detailed information on applying for a waiver, click here for the latest guidance Federal Register Disaster Relief Notice
- Ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are ready to assist. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors available to help those impacted by natural disasters to determine assistance needs and available resources
- Assisting with housing discrimination. If you think your rights have been violated, file a fair housing complaint with HUD. You can file a complaint by calling HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visiting How to File a Complaint on HUD's website.
Mental Health Services
Contact Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255, or text “TALK” to 38255, to speak with a professional counselor about any area where you could use support for yourself or a loved one following Marshall Fire.
Jewish Family Service has partnered with the Community Foundation Boulder County to offer counseling services to Boulder County residents. The program offers up to $500 towards five individual counseling sessions (a maximum of $100 per session), or up to $875 towards five family counseling sessions (a maximum of $175 per session) and provides a pool of licensed providers from which to choose.
I Matter is offering three free mental health sessions for any youth in the state, largely available via telehealth. Call 1-800-985-5990 support available at each of the evacuation shelters.
You can also call mental Health Partners at (303) 443-8500.
The National Disaster Helpline is also available at each of the evacuation shelters for anyone needing assistance. Call 1-800-985-5990.
More Resources, Ways To Give And Important Information
All verified GoFundMe accounts
You can donate directly to families in need through GoFundMe's page for all verified fundraisers.
Arvada collecting gift cards for families
Arvada Councilmembers Lisa Smith and Lauren Simpson have teamed up with the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce to collect gift cards for families affected by the fire. This drive will run until Jan. 14. You can drop off the cards at:
- Arvada Chamber of Commerce / Arvada Visitors Center, 7305 Grandview Ave. | M-Th 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr St. | M-F 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cards are especially needed for hardware stores, home goods stores, and clothing stores. Restaurants are also in need as many people do not have places to cook.
Replacing lost documents
Congressman Joe Neguse's Office is offering assistance in replacing documents (social security cards, passports, driver’s license, birth certificates) that have been lost in the fire.
Please email congressmanjoe.neguse@mail.house.gov with a list of documents you need replaced and they will get you connected with a Constituent Advocate from their office to help you through the process for each. The office number is 303-335-1045.
Getting prescriptions filled Some residents who were ordered to evacuate their home may have left without bringing their prescription medications with them or may not have access to their prescription drugs.
During declared emergencies such as the Marshall Fire, impacted individuals can get prescription refills even if it would otherwise be too early to refill their prescriptions. The following guidance will help those evacuees in need of getting their prescriptions refilled.
Call your health insurance company to tell them about your circumstances and need to obtain early prescription refills. The Colorado Division of Insurance has told health insurance companies to be prepared for this.
Assistance for small businesses lost to the fire
Federal assistance is available from the Small Business Association (SBA) to businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
Interest rates can be as low as 2.83% for businesses, 1.875% for private nonprofit organizations and 1.438% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To be considered for SBA assistance and all forms of federal disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Additional information and details is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
DMV is helping replace IDs lost in Marshall Fire
The Colorado DMV is out helping Coloradans who've lost their driver license or ID in the Marshall Fire. They'll be available through Jan. 16. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, helping individuals obtain needed assistance during this time.
More info here.
Golden Gives Day
Participating Golden businesses will be donating to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund on Friday. Golden Gives Day is a designated day in which a percentage of sales from participating businesses will be donated to the fund.
Over 60 Golden businesses are slated to participate in Golden Gives Day, and the list of participating businesses continues to grow. To see a list of participating businesses, visit their Facebook page.
Free storage with U-Haul
Four stores with U-Haul Company of Northern Colorado will provide 30 days of free self-storage for people impacted by the Marshall Fire in Boulder County. Those locations are:
- U-Haul Moving & Storage of Park Hill, 4800 Colorado Blvd., Denver - 303-800-4814
- U-Haul Moving & Storage of the Mile High City, 7540 York St., Denver - 303-286-2766
- U-Haul Moving & Storage of Longmont, 3885 Highland Dr., Longmont - 970-535-6262
- U-Haul Storage of Loveland, 3305 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland – 970-663-2707
Airbnb
If you have shelter to offer displaced residents, please sign up to be a vetted host at Airbnb.com and you will be alerted through the Airbnb Open Homes Program if needed.
Baby supplies
Local nonprofit WeeCycle will host a drive-thru distribution event on Monday to provide baby essentials (including diapers, wipes, baby food, formula, bottles, and clothing) to families displaced by the Marshall Fire. WeeCycle is holding this event in partnership with Louisville-based children store Pitter Patter and the nonprofit food banks Conscious Alliance and We Don’t Waste.
It will stay open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 720 Front St. in Louisville. To learn how to donate, click here or text weecycle to 56651.
Lost and found pets
Anybody whose pet is missing can file a report on the Humane Society of Boulder Valley’s website here. Use this online Lost Report form to submit a lost report outside of business hours.
If you find an animal, contact the Humane Society quickly so it can be reunited with its owner. File a Found Report here.
All lost and found animals are on the organization’s website. The Humane Society has all the pet food and supplies they need, but the best way you can still help is a donation to its Emergency Safety Net Fund, which will provide emergency boarding and free pet food and supplies for families in need. To pick up free pet food or supplies, visit 2323 55th St. in Boulder.
Sister Carmen
Sister Carmen is taking donations that can be dropped off at 655 Aspen Ridge Drive, Lafayette at the east entrance.
They are currently accepting:
- Cash: www.sistercarmen.org
- Gift Cards: $100 increments to Walmart, Target, Costco, and local area restaurants
- Easy-to-eat and no-prep foods (ex. Granola bars, snack mixes, fruit, peanut butter, crackers, soups, bottled water)
Donate to and help from Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provided about 4,000 meals to people in emergency shelters and first responders. The Salvation Army is currently stationed at The Disaster Assistance Center (1755 South Public Road, Lafayette).
The Salvation Army is asking anybody who wants to make a donation to them to text FIRERELIEF to 51555 or visit its fire relief webpage here.
IRS extends 2021 tax-filing deadline for Marshall Fire victims
The Internal Revenue Service is giving those impacted by the Marshall Fire extra time to file their taxes. Affected individuals and businesses will have until May 16 to file returns and pay any taxes due. The deadline to file for taxpayers not affected by the fire is April 18.
The IRS is extending the deadline to taxpayers impacted by the fire who live or have a business in Boulder County. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.
Free calls, texts, and data through Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is offering free calls, texts and data to customers who were impacted by the Marshall Fire. This change is automatic, so customers do not have to take any action. This is in effect from Jan. 4-10.