Trump Denies Colorado's Disaster Aid Request, Raising Accusations of Political Bias

Governor Polis calls the decision 'incredibly disappointing' as Colorado communities struggle to recover from wildfires and floods.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a government office building or administrative center, its facade and windows illuminated by warm, angled sunlight that casts long shadows across the scene, creating a contemplative, melancholic mood.The federal government's denials of disaster aid requests from Colorado have stoked accusations of political bias, casting a somber shadow over the state's recovery efforts.Fort Collins Today

President Donald Trump has denied Colorado's request for federal disaster aid to help communities affected by wildfires and flooding, continuing a pattern of approving aid to Republican-leaning states at about twice the rate as Democratic-led states. Governor Jared Polis accused the president of playing 'political games' with the disaster declarations, while the White House defended the decision as a thorough review process.

Why it matters

The denial of disaster aid requests has become a point of contention, with Democratic governors accusing the Trump administration of political bias in the approval process. This case highlights concerns about the fairness and transparency of the federal disaster declaration system, which can have significant impacts on communities struggling to recover from natural disasters.

The details

Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, sought major disaster declarations for wildfires that scorched 240 square miles in western Colorado and floods that inundated mountain communities in the southern part of the state last year. Polis requested FEMA public assistance for debris cleanup and infrastructure rebuilding, as well as hazard-mitigation funding. Trump first denied Colorado's requests late last year, and on Monday upheld that decision on appeal after a 'thorough review' by FEMA. The administration defended the decision, stating that it responds to each request with 'great care and consideration' to ensure federal funds are used appropriately.

  • In December 2025, Trump first rejected Colorado's disaster aid requests.
  • On April 14, 2026, Trump upheld the denial of Colorado's disaster aid requests on appeal.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who denied Colorado's disaster aid requests.

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado who requested federal disaster aid for his state.

Karen S. Evans

The acting administrator of FEMA who informed Governor Polis of the denial of Colorado's disaster aid requests.

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokesperson who defended the administration's disaster aid approval process.

Andrew Rumbach

A senior fellow at the Urban Institute who analyzed FEMA's disaster aid approval rates.

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What they’re saying

“These disasters caused real damage to homes, infrastructure, and local economies, and Coloradans should not be left to shoulder these costs alone.”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado

“President Trump provides a more thorough review of disaster declaration requests than any administration has before him.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson

“These are definitely questions worth asking, but I haven't reached a conclusion that there's clear political bias going on here.”

— Andrew Rumbach, Senior fellow, Urban Institute

What’s next

Colorado's attorney general, Phil Weiser, has been pushing back against other recent federal decisions against Colorado, including dissolving a climate research lab, threatening to cut transportation money, withholding funds for needy families, and relocating the U.S. Space Command to Alabama. The state may pursue legal action or further appeals regarding the disaster aid denial.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's pattern of approving disaster aid requests from Republican-leaning states at a higher rate than Democratic-led states has raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the federal disaster declaration process. This case in Colorado highlights the need for clearer criteria and more accountability in how these critical aid decisions are made.