MEEKER | Since the Lee and Elk Fires do not have a FEMA Public Assistance declaration yet, the Fire Recovery Team is working to request a Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (SBA EIDL) declaration. The deadline for requesting the SBA EIDL may expire before FEMA and the President make a determination.
Similar to FEMA, SBA needs to have a plausible justification for linking the Lee and Elk Fires, and the flood after fire impacts, including mudslides. SBA uses a worksheet to certify businesses and complete the declaration. If the declaration is made this would allow all businesses access to favorable and low interest EIDL loans from the SBA.
Please contact Carly Thompson at [email protected] with questions and to get a copy of the form. Applications remain completely confidential and do not require businesses to seek an SBA loan. The forms need to be returned by Friday, Oct. 24.
RBC | Colorado Cattlemen’s Ag Water NetWORK will host a webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2025, from 12-1 p.m. focused on ‘Recovering from Rangeland Fire – When to Take Action and When to Be Patient.’ The devastating fires around Meeker and other parts of Western Colorado have imposed widespread impacts on rangeland. The loss of forage for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat, along with increased potential for soil erosion and water quality degradation create challenging conditions for livestock producers and land and water infrastructure managers.
Presenters: Retta Bruegger, CSU Regional Rangeland Specialist, Western Colorado and Erin Spaur, EVP, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.
The webinar will cover: How does wildfire affect rangeland soils and plant communities? Does wildfire offer any long-term benefits to rangeland and the broader ecosystem? What should producers and rangeland managers expect to see in the coming years? When should you re-seed versus letting nature take care of revegetation? What resources are available to help agricultural producers who have been impacted by wildfire? Q & A. Register for the webinar in advance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XpitN7V2Sj2_kDJ3I3oDGw