Over 1,900 homes were evacuated in Durango, affecting roughly 4,500 residents, as floodwaters recede and recovery work begins, officials said. The scale of the damage makes swift rebuilding a top priority for the community.
Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Jeff Hurd toured the flood‑hit areas on a bipartisan fact‑finding trip, meeting with county, state and emergency officials. “These are families. These are lives that have been upended,” Hurd said, echoing the urgency expressed by local leaders.
La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith reported that, after the first day of assessments, 68 homes were damaged – five destroyed, 18 with major damage and 40 with minor damage – and at least five trailer parks suffered significant loss, displacing some of the region’s lowest‑income residents.
Infrastructure damage is extensive. The bridge over the Piedra River on U.S. Highway 160 was washed out, forcing a three‑hour detour between Durango and Pagosa Springs. Officials estimate a temporary replacement could cost upward of $10 million, with a permanent fix unlikely before the new year. CDOT regional director Julie Constan said assembling the bridge could take about 30 days, with a best‑case completion by Christmas and a worst‑case scenario of mid‑January.
Other critical road closures include Highway 151 and nearly 30 miles of Wolf Creek Pass. Constan expects Highway 151 to reopen in roughly 10 days, reducing the detour to about 45 minutes, while Wolf Creek Pass may also be cleared within 10 days.
Federal assistance is being pursued aggressively. Governor Jared Polis requested a major disaster declaration from President Trump for Rio Grande and Archuleta counties, citing the October 22‑25 rains. Local leaders hope the request will be expanded to include La Plata and Conejos counties as damage assessments continue. Both Bennet and Hurd said they will “turn over every single rock” to secure FEMA resources for individuals, small businesses and infrastructure projects.
What’s next: CDOT will continue work on Highway 151 and the Piedra Bridge while county crews clear debris and seek temporary housing for displaced families. Officials expect to meet with federal partners in the coming weeks to finalize the disaster declaration and begin disbursing aid, aiming to have key routes functional before the winter season fully sets in.
Sources: kob.com, durangoherald.com, denver7.com
