U.S. Reps. Neguse, Clark visit Superior’s Sagamore neighborhood

Sheryl Buchman and Erica Solove, whose homes were destroyed in the Marshall Fire, both discovered they were underinsured as they started to rebuild in Superior’s Sagamore neighborhood.

But neither ended up applying for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration to help make up the difference, saying the process was too cumbersome at a time they were already overwhelmed.

“We just didn’t have it in us to fight another battle,” Solove said.

They shared their stories Friday with U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse, D-Lafayette, and Katherine Clark, D-Mass. The two representatives visited the Sagamore neighborhood — which was completely destroyed — to talk about the continued impacts and lessons learned from the Marshall Fire.

Clark, the Democratic House whip, said it was incredible to see the rebuilding progress, but added that the empty lots where people haven’t been able to rebuild are “haunting.”

“This is really where those federal dollars make a difference,” she said. “It’s important to see it firsthand. This is what matters. It’s why we’re there, to help make things better when disaster strikes.”

The 6,000-acre blaze, sparked on Dec. 30, 2021, killed two people and destroyed 1,084 homes and seven commercial buildings in Superior, Louisville and unincorporated Boulder County.

Superior Mayor Mark Lacis said the town lost close to 400 homes in the fire and is rebuilding twice as fast as the national average for disaster recoveries. So far, he said, about a quarter of the residents have moved back home and another 50% are rebuilding. By this time next year, he expects that 75% of the town’s fire survivors will be back in their neighborhoods.

Solove, who moved into her rebuilt house four months ago, said her family broke ground about a year ago.

“In some ways, it feels like we never left,” she said. “In some ways, it feels wildly different.”

Local leaders praised Neguse for his help in securing federal relief for the communities impacted by the fire, while Buchman said Neguse worked with residents to solve difficult problems as they started to rebuild.

“The word on the street is ‘call Joe’s office,’ ” she said.

Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson, who also lost his home in the fire and is rebuilding, added he was grateful for Neguse’s partnership in addressing the many barriers to rebuilding.

FEMA, for example, agreed to cover the costs of removing foundations, basements and burned vehicles damaged in the Marshall Fire, coverage that’s not typically offered by the federal agency. That’s coverage that should continue to be offered after disasters, both representatives said.

But Johnson noted the Small Business Administration loans didn’t help him, either. Applying was too challenging while also dealing with insurance and trying to find a builder. The loans also weren’t available to residents who were here with green cards.

“The SBA program is not designed for this kind of disaster,” he said.

Other requests from residents include improved emergency notification systems. Buchman, who saved her sleeping neighbor during the fire, said she saw two fire engines driving slowly through the neighborhood without sirens on, giving her a false sense of security. She didn’t realize she needed to evacuate until she saw fire.

“That was very, very frustrating,” she said.

Following their Sagamore visit, Neguse and Clark toured The Dagny School Head Start program, which is located in Lafayette’s YMCA of Northern Colorado. Head Start provides a preschool option for low-income families.

They talked with local Head Start leaders about the recently threatened government shutdown — Head Start is federally funded — and the YMCA’s contingency plans to keep the preschool open. The shutdown reprieve is for 45 days, with Democratic lawmakers concerned Republicans could threaten it again.

“We are going to do everything we can to prevent the shutdown,” Neguse said.

Alex Linder, Boulder County Head Start family services manager, said their families depend on the care Head Start provides.

“These are full-day working parents,” she said. “It would have a tremendous impact. It’s not like they have the flexibility to take a day off.”

Leslie Vaquera, who was a single mom working at Head Start when her son attended, now is working in IT for Boulder County and has a 3-year-old daughter in the program.

“It’s very important, not only for the kids but for the parents,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been where I am without Head Start.”