On Friday, Sept. 25, at about 11:30 a.m., Archuleta County Manager Longinos Gonzalez signed a local disaster declaration due to recent flooding that has occured in the county.
According to the declaration, "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."
The declaration also explains that "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."
The declaration will remain in effect for seven days, unless extended or terminated by action of the Board of County Commissioners.
The declaration also allows the county to access mutual aid, and request state and federal assistance.
"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," the declaration states.
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