Whew! It’s hard to miss—2026 has been a rough year in terms of meteorological calamities. Disaster activity continues across Colorado and neighboring states. Our Front Porch has already served 1,703 households, and we’re only halfway through the year! July brought responses to flooding, apartment fires, and the first referrals from two major wildfires that have burned over 100,000 acres and will require months of stabilization and long-term recovery support.

Preparing for Colorado's Largest Recovery Efforts

While continuing to support flood and apartment fire survivors, Our Front Porch has already begun receiving referrals from the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain wildfires.

With more than 300 homes destroyed in the Aspen Acres Fire, we expect the need for stabilization and long-term recovery services to increase substantially over the coming months. Our team is coordinating with the Red Cross and preparing to assist survivors with insurance navigation, housing advocacy, resource coordination, emotional support, and other recovery needs as referrals continue to arrive.

Standing with Kittredge Flood Survivors

Following the Kittredge/Bear Creek flooding, Our Front Porch responded at the Disaster Assistance Center (DAC), providing basic necessities including underwear, bras, socks, period packs, and laundry detergent to affected households.
Our team also spent significant time helping survivors understand their flood insurance policies, navigate the insurance claims process, and prepare for the recovery timeline ahead. Many survivors were unsure what their policies covered or what steps they should expect over the coming weeks and months.

Housing issues also surfaced immediately. We assisted one renter whose home remained filled with mud after the flood while the landlord failed to complete cleanup before terminating her lease. Working with survivors as they navigate housing instability and other recovery challenges continues to be our top priority.

One conversation at the DAC illustrated how disasters often compound existing loss. A survivor shared that her brother had recently passed away. The brother, a Harley Davidson enthusiast and rider, left his beloved red Road King motorcycle to his sister. The bike was destroyed in the flood.

While insurance can sometimes replace property, it cannot replace items with deep personal significance.

Another client shared, "Every day feels like a stressor now."

Recovery resources following the flooding are now limited as much of the state's attention has shifted to Colorado's active wildfire season.

Helping Westminster Families Move Forward

At this DAC, we distributed underwear, bras, socks, period packs, and laundry detergent while helping residents understand the insurance claims process and what to expect in the weeks ahead.
Several residents discovered they had purchased renter’s insurance through their property management company that provided liability coverage only.

This left them without coverage for personal belongings or additional living expenses. Unfortunately, this is an issue we continue to encounter after apartment fires.

We also spoke with survivors about the importance of maintaining a support system during recovery and invited several residents to participate in our weekly survivor support group.

Recovery Beyond Colorado

Our expansion into Missouri and Arkansas (MOAR), as part of our 50 Front Porches in 50 states initiative, continues to reinforce what we've long known: recovery needs do not stop at state lines.

This month, communities across Missouri experienced catastrophic flooding, leaving homes damaged, roads washed out, and families beginning the difficult process of recovery.
Photo credit: Kansas City NPR

We continue building partnerships throughout the MOAR region and stand ready to provide the same stabilization and long-term support that has become the foundation of our work in Colorado.

Whether recovery follows a wildfire, flood, or apartment fire, survivors often face many of the same challenges: understanding insurance coverage, finding stable housing, replacing essential belongings, and navigating a recovery process that lasts far longer than the emergency response.

You Can Make Recovery Possible

Every time you invest in Our Front Proch, you tell survivors of fires, floods, and other disasters, “You are not alone.” And as natural disasters continue to expand, we will see more households needing assistance. It is only through the kindness and generosity of people like you that we can provide the support and guidance to help families rebuild physically, mentally, and emotionally.

You are part of a unique journey of growth and fulfillment. There is no other organization in the country doing what we do, and there are no other supporters like you.

With gratitude,

The Our Front Porch Team

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