Neguse Secures $525,000 in Federal Funds to Build an Emergency Egress in Nederland

Congressman Neguse toured the site of the Big Spring Egress earlier this year, see photos here.

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joe Neguse has secured $525,000 in federal funds to help build an Emergency Egress in the Town of Nederland. Currently the Big Springs subdivision in the Town of Nederland has limited exit points which poses major risks in cases of wildfire or other emergency. This funding would build an emergency egress to increase resident safety in cases where primary exit points become blocked or otherwise damaged.

In total, Congressman Neguse secured over $7 million in funding for community projects in his district that will be funded by Congress in FY 2022. The omnibus package passed the House and Senate this week.

“Wildfires and other extreme weather events can descend on communities quickly—sometimes without warning—so for folks in our rural communities, the ability to escape an area quickly is crucial,” said Congressman Joe Neguse, who serves as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus. “With wildfire seasons growing more severe each year, building this emergency egress will prevent residents of Big Springs from being trapped when blazes block traditional exit points. This project will give our communities better chances of survival in high-pressure situations by expanding escape and emergency response routes.”

The Big Springs neighborhood in Nederland, Colorado, currently has two major access points. If those points become obstructed, the residents of this subdivision would be placed in greater danger. This funding would support the construction of an emergency egress to provide residents with emergency routes to use in case of disaster, and also to be used by emergency personnel if necessary to enter the neighborhood.

Neguse submitted several Community Project Funding requests to the Appropriations Committee, and has had remarkable success advocating for projects in Colorado’s 2nd District. The Big Springs Emergency Egress is among the 10 Neguse-sponsored projects to be funded by in FY2022.