Nearly one year after Colorado鈥檚 devastating flood, the state has approved $2.29 million in grants to revitalize streams and rivers in Weld, Larimer, Boulder, and Jefferson counties.
The approved funding for focused on stream recovery following 2013's flood. The largest individual grant will go to Colorado Parks and Wildlife to restore the watershed of the . Other beneficiaries include , the town of and .
In a public statement released on August 8, Gov. Hickenlooper said that repairing damaged streams and watersheds was vital to protect against potential floods in the future.
鈥淩ehabilitating streams damaged by the flood is critical for many reasons; most notably so that we are prepared to endure any future surprises Mother Nature might throw our way,鈥� said Hickenlooper.
Beyond reducing future flood risk, the grants will contribute to restoring wildlife habitat, agriculture areas and outdoor recreation.
The grant program was introduced by the and became law less than three months ago and authorizes payments to homeowners, local governments and private entities devoted to post-flood restoration.
Boulder County received the brunt of flood damage in a survey conducted by the , with an estimated cost of $33 million.
