Lawmakers aim for 20% bigger culverts after Colorado flood tour
Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Jeff Hurd visited Pagosa Springs and Durango to assess damage, promising a push for federal funds and expanded infrastructure.
By Vikram Harrison ·
Working families in southwest Colorado face immediate barriers to returning home and to work as floodwaters remain around buildings and damaged roads cut off access. In Durango, officials told federal leaders that many residents cannot reach their houses due to the physical destruction of local infrastructure. The situation has prompted a joint effort by Senator Michael Bennet, a Democrat, and Representative Jeff Hurd, a Republican, to secure rapid financial support from Washington.
The pair flew from Alamosa on Friday to meet with local officials in Pagosa Springs and Durango. During these meetings, they identified specific needs that go beyond temporary repairs. In Pagosa Springs, leaders highlighted the collapse of gravel roads and the strain on sewage and wastewater systems. They also emphasized the urgency of stabilizing the tourism sector, which serves as a primary economic driver for the town.
Hurd stated that the goal is to restore every family and small business to normal operations. "This is not just numbers on a spreadsheet, these are families' lives, these are small businesses," he said. Bennet noted that reopening roads was the most common request from community members. "One of the things we heard everywhere we went was the importance of getting these roads open again, and that's another piece of this that we've got to get done," Bennet said.
The representatives plan to amend the Major Disaster Declaration previously sent to the White House. Governor Jared Polis originally included Archuleta and Rio Grande counties. The lawmakers intend to add Conejos County to that list. They hope to consolidate these areas into one large declaration, though they acknowledge it may result in two separate funding requests.
Hurd expressed optimism that President Donald Trump will approve the funding for 2026, citing recent approvals for the Aspen Acres Fire. He noted that the current composition of Congress offers a chance to work with the administration to present a valid case for aid. Bennet acknowledged past inconsistencies in federal responses but pointed to recent successes as a reason for confidence.
The pair also outlined a plan for long-term infrastructure upgrades once money is secured. Hurd proposed increasing the capacity of rebuilt culverts by 20%. This adjustment aims to reduce the likelihood of similar scale disasters in the future. Bennet added that the towns intend to reopen for business soon, stating that tourism is critically important to their economic development.
The visit followed an initial report on Thursday detailing the lawmakers' strategy for expanding the disaster declaration. Both officials left the region with a focus on moving quickly to get FEMA money approved. They plan to return to Washington to push for the necessary legislative and executive actions.
