February 2022

Hi everyone – I hope everyone is doing well given the circumstances.  I wanted to give you an update on (1) debris removal; (2) the Boulder Valley Build Expo; (3) drinking water; (4) re-building… and more.

Debris Removal

On February 9, FEMA gave its initial approval to the request for funding of the Marshall Fire Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) program.  A copy of FEMA’s approval letter is available here:  DR-4634-CO FEMA Response to 31 Jan 22 Boulder Co PPDR Request.  FEMA’s letter indicates that it will cover certain aspects of debris removal on private property, specifically, those aspects which constitute a threat to public health and safety and which are on residential property.  Although FEMA agreed to fund some aspects of the PPDR program, FEMA has not yet agreed to fund everything.  In particular, the removal of foundations and debris removal for “partially destroyed” homes where more than one wall is still standing, remain open questions.  Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, along with Congressman Neguse, have expressly asked the FEMA Administrator (Delegation Letter to FEMA on PPDR (1)) and President Biden (Delegation Letter to WH on PPDR (1)) for this additional funding… but we have not yet heard an answer to these requests.  View FEMA’s Private Property Debris Removal Fact Sheet for more information on the approval process.  The State of Colorado also has pledged funding to help share the cost of the required 25 percent local match for the FEMA grants.

The next day, on February 10, the Boulder County Commissioners awarded the PPDR contract to DRC Emergency Services, LLC (DRC).  After a multi-day review and deliberation process, Boulder County selected DRC because of the its ability to deploy dozens of crews throughout the region, complete the PPDR project by July 1, and demonstrate competitive pricing.  DRC is expected to begin work by March 1, following a 10-day period for other bidders to appeal the decision per county policy. The Town of Superior is currently working with Boulder County, Louisville, and DRC to determine the project schedule, order of operations, air and soil testing conditions, and the appropriate project monitoring, inspection, and management.  DRC is expected to have 10-15 crews working in Superior. This will allow crews to start work in all of the affected areas at the same time.

To participate in the coordinated PPDR cleanup, residents must opt-in by signing a Right of Entry (ROE) form.  The deadline to submit ROE forms has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18.

Currently, more than 800 property owners have signed the ROE forms, indicating their intention to participate. It is expected that property owners who choose not to participate in the county’s debris removal program will hire their own contractors at their own expense to complete debris removal work on a similar timeline, and under conditions set by local governments through their planning departments’ demolition permit processes.

Updated information about the debris removal program is available at www.BoCo.org/Marshall-Fire-Cleanup.

Hydro-mulching

Hydro-mulch is currently being applied to properties destroyed by the Marshall Fire in order to help prevent potential toxins in the ash and debris from becoming windblown into the air or running off into local waterways.  The project team is delaying application of hydro-mulch at properties where they have been notified by owners that sifting work still needs to occur. If you have not contacted the hydro-mulch team about ongoing sifting work plans, you should request sifting during the final debris removal phase, which is anticipated to begin March 1. Sifting during this phase will be conducted by debris removal crews. To request sifting during debris removal, please contact the debris removal program team at ROE@bouldercounty.org or call 303-214-3203.

Residents may also have noticed different stakes and signage on their properties. Orange stakes indicate that a property is ready to receive hydro-mulch. The smaller, black and white signs with numbers indicate that a property owner is participating in the debris cleanup program and initial site inspection has been completed.

Although the hydro-mulch is non-hazardous and non-toxic, it is imperative that people refrain from disturbing treated areas after the material is applied so that the barrier between ash/debris and the air is maintained. Additional guidance will be shared on how to safely access properties, if needed, after application of the hydro-mulch. Questions about hydro-mulching should be directed to hydromulch@bouldercounty.org.

Boulder Valley Build Expo

The Boulder Valley Build Expo will be held on Friday (February 25) & Saturday (February 26) at Ascent Community Church, 550 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville, Colorado 80027.  This Expo will be an great opportunity for information gathering and to connect those who lost their homes in the Marshall Fire with builders who are able to help rebuild.  There will also be representatives from Superior, Louisville, and Boulder County present to answer questions.  Builders will share information about  their capabilities to build, timelines, and available models and floor plans.  For more information and to register, please visit the Boulder Valley Build Expo website and Facebook page.

The Town has also published a helpful guide that outlines our Marshall Fire Rebuilding Process.  Please visit the Town’s Marshall Fire FAQs for more information.

Drinking Water

The Town’s water treatment facilities were damaged in the Marshall Fire.  The Town’s water treatment capabilities have been restored and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has verified that our water is safe to drink.  However, many residents complained that their drinking water smelled and tasted like smoke.   In order to address this issue, in early February, the Town began bypassing our water supply to avoid the Town’s water reservoir (located west of McCaslin Blvd. next to the Ridge Neighborhood) and instead, have been supplying residences with water directly directly from the Northern Water System (which collects water from the Upper Colorado River near Grand Lake and which collects water in Carter Lake near Loveland.)  During this bypass process, the Town has installed a chlorine-dioxide filtration system and has had contractors vacuuming the banks of the reservoir.  We anticipate this work to be complete in the next few weeks.  After which, the Town will start drawing from the reservoir to supply our drinking water.  Stay tuned for updates on this topic and please know that I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that our drinking water is safe and free of odors/smells.

In the meantime, potable water will continue to be available for residents at the Superior Community Center.  Bottled/boxed water is located in the south side parking area between 8:00am-5:00pm.

Superior Rising/After the Fire

Superior Rising is a grassroots movement of Marshall Fire survivors and community leaders from the public and private sectors who are dedicated to serving the long-term needs of the Town of Superior’s disaster affected residents, businesses and workforce. Founded in January of 2022, under the mentorship of Colorado Springs Together, Superior Rising has been established as a non-profit foundation to provide access to resources and to help lower barriers to entry for those repopulating the disaster affected areas. Superior Rising is proud to partner with other non-profits, corporate donors, private donors and government agencies to accomplish our mission.

On Wednesday, February 16, Superior Rising hosted a group of wildfire survivors from California who have organized as a 501(c)(3) called “After the Fire.”  After the Fire brought a delegation of Sonoma County, CA Fire Survivors who lost their homes in the 2017 North Bay Complex Fires, and they each served as a community leader in the long term recovery and rebuilding of their community. Just like the Marshall Fire, the North Bay Firestorm destroyed entire suburban neighborhoods in a matter of hours. Today those neighborhoods are rebuilt.  This was a wonderful event and I’m so grateful for Superior Rising for organizing it, and for the After the Fire representatives who spoke about their experiences in dealing with recovery and how each of them worked to expedite the rebuilding process.  For more information about After the Fire, please visit their website.

Superior Rising’s next event will be a Community Gathering @ the Superior Community Center on Sunday, February 20, 2022 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.   At this event, Superior Rising has invited Valerie Brown, with United Policyholders, to help answer insurance-related questions as well as give guidance and tips on how to navigate the recovery process with your insurance provider. Visit here for more info.

Building Code Updates

At the last Town Board meeting on February 14, 2021, the Town Board considered possible updates to our building codes.  Currently, the Town’s Code has adopted the IECC 2018 model code.  But at the February 14 Board Meeting, the Town Board expressed concerns with adopting the IECC 2021 model code update, if doing so would cause those who lost their homes in the Marshall Fire, to have to rebuild at higher cost.  While we did not make a final decision, the Town Board expressed the desire to “grandfather” in all of those who lost their homes to the IECC 2018 model code, even if the Town later adopts the IECC 2021 model codes for new construction. As I expressed in my last blog update on January 22, I am not supportive of adopting any code amendments which would make it more expensive for fire victims to rebuild — notwithstanding the fact that the Board generally is trying to move Superior in an more environmentally sustainable direction.  I am glad that the Board has similar concerns and that we are going to do everything possible to help those who lost their homes rebuild efficiently and economically.

Downtown Superior

If you haven’t been to Downtown Superior lately, you might not know that construction along Main Street of the “Commercial Core” by developer Carmel is already underway.  While it might not look like much (see below), this is an exciting development.

Santiago’s

As mentioned in my December 2021 update, Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant is coming to Superior.  They have signed a lease for a location next to Wayne’s Smoke Shack in the Superior Marketplace.  Work is currently underway on their tenant improvements, and we’re hoping that Santiago’s will open in April 2022.  It’s always great when new businesses come to town, but when those new businesses offer delicious breakfast burritos and green chile, well that just has a special place in my heart.  For more information about Santiago’s Superior location, please visit their website.

Element Hotel

The Element Hotel (located in Downtown Superior behind the Tesla dealership and near Superior Liquor) was a total loss to the Marshall Fire.  All that remains is a charred concrete elevator shaft and stairwell.  And it is one of the most prominent and visible reminders of the Marshall Fire.  I’ve heard from several residents who have asked when it will be cleared and what the plans are to rebuild.  We learned just this week that a contractor has been selected to demolish the existing structure and remove the debris in the coming weeks.  Once the site is cleared, work can start on rebuilding.  It’s my understanding that Westin (the owners of Element) are working to select a builder to work on the reconstruction of the hotel.  While plans are yet to be finalized, it will be a good step forward in the healing process for our town to have this site cleared and remediated so that it can be rebuilt.  Stay tuned.

First Fridays, Thirsty Thursdays, & Lowdowns with Trustee Lacis

Want to talk one-on-one about Town issues? Love Superior? Hate Superior? Tell me about it. Shoot me an email at markl@superiorcolorado.gov and we’ll find time to schedule a Lowdown with Trustee Lacis. Or, consider attending First Fridays on March 4th from 7:45am-9:15am. If Friday mornings don’t work for you, keep an eye out for a Thirsty Thursdays on an upcoming Thursday evening at the Community Center as well!