Governor Jared Polis announced October 29, 2026, that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Colorado's request for disaster help after this summer's Elk, Willow and Gold Mountain fires. The help comes as low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters in affected counties.

The SBA approved help community by community, based on the damage and impact of each fire. Small businesses and nonprofits facing money losses from the fires can apply for loans. In Ouray County, businesses, homeowners and renters can also get loans to repair or replace property damaged by the fire and the flooding and mudslides that followed.

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These approvals add to the SBA's earlier approval of help for damage from the Aspen Acres Fire.

"Colorado businesses struggling in the aftermath of the devastating Elk, Willow and Gold Mountain Fires will now have access to low interest loans to help meet expenses, even if the business was not physically damaged. This SBA assistance allows small businesses and nonprofits in all three disaster areas to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million. In Ouray County, homeowners, families, renters and businesses recovering from the Gold Mountain Fire and related mudslides and flooding can also use SBA loans to start work on home and business repairs and replace personal property damaged by the disasters. I thank the SBA for approving this assistance that will immediately help Coloradans begin the hard work of repairing property and rebuilding businesses after these terrible fires and disasters," said Governor Polis.

The approvals cover three disasters. The SBA has fact sheets with details on each one.

• Willow Fire, June 28 to September 16, 2026: Eligible small businesses and private nonprofits in Chaffee, Eagle, Lake, Park, Pitkin and Summit counties may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
• Elk Fire, July 9 to October 1, 2026: Eligible small businesses and private nonprofits in Archuleta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Ouray, Saguache and San Juan counties may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
• Ouray County Wildfires (Gold Mountain Fire), Flooding, and Mudslides, June 27 to July 29, 2026: Businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters in Ouray County can get physical disaster loans. Eligible small businesses and private nonprofits in Ouray County may also apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

"Small Business Assistance funding is critical to helping our businesses recover from the economic impacts of the Elk Fire. This support helps with revenue loss, preserves local jobs, and strengthens the resilience of the business community, ensuring that businesses can continue serving residents and welcoming visitors as the county recovers. Hinsdale County is excited to be included in this funding," said Hinsdale County Commissioner Kristie Borchers.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans give businesses money to pay their bills during recovery. A business does not need to have physical damage to qualify. Loans can be up to $2 million. Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses and 3.625 percent for private nonprofits. Loans can last up to 30 years. The SBA decides who qualifies. It also sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's finances.

The deadline for businesses and nonprofits to return economic injury applications for all three disasters is July 23, 2027.

In Ouray County, more help is available:

• Home repairs and replacement: Up to $500,000 for homeowners to repair or replace a damaged primary home.
• Personal property: Up to $100,000 for homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged belongings, including furniture, appliances and vehicles.
• Business and nonprofit recovery: Up to $2 million for eligible businesses and private nonprofits to repair or replace damaged property, equipment and inventory. Qualified rental properties may also be eligible.

Ouray County residents can also get extra money for improvements that protect property from future damage. This money is added on top of any approved loan for home or business repairs.

The application deadline for SBA physical damage help in Ouray County, including protection improvements, is December 22, 2026.

To apply online for any of these loans, visit sba.gov/disaster.