Photo Credit: John Hecker, InciWeb
July 2026
In June 2025, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation established the Yampa Valley Disaster Recovery Fund to ensure funds could be raised quickly to help meet immediate and long‑term relief and recovery needs from a man-made or environmental crisis. Just weeks later, lightning sparked the Lee and Elk fires. The fund received its first donation just five days after the fires started; by the end of 2025, 164 donations totaling $205,880 were made by individuals, businesses, and organizations to support recovery efforts for the fires.
A local advisory committee consisting of YVCF’s CEO, a YVCF Trustee, a United Way Trustee, and four community or subject‑matter experts was established to review community needs and recommend grants for Board approval. Through this transparent and equitable process, $148,685 has been granted to date to address evolving needs, from immediate relief to longer‑term recovery still underway.
Examples of grant requests funded include:
- on‑the‑ground coordination and distribution of essentials to evacuees by United Way of the Yampa Valley
- small business stabilization by the Town of Meeker
- ditch clearing and debris removal led by the White River Conservation District to prevent flooding and protect irrigation systems essential for crops and livestock
- financial assistance for rent, repairs and food costs for community members impacted by the wildfires and evacuations, coordinated by United Way of the Yampa Valley
The Lee fire went on to become the fifth largest fire in Colorado’s history. Its significant impact on landowners in Rio Blanco County is still being assessed, and additional funding may be dispersed to support restoration efforts. Excess donations in the Disaster Recovery Fund will remain in the fund to assist with ongoing recovery and future disasters.
We thank the many generous individuals and the following businesses, foundations and community organizations for their support:
- The Denver Foundation
- Meeker Lions Club
- The Colorado Grand
- Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
- Kiewit Companies Foundation (Kiewit Mining Group)
- Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
- Smoking River Brewing Company LLC
- Garfield School District NO. Re-2
- Near Walden Foundation
- The First Congregational Church of Craig
- Colorado Bagel
- Rocky Mountain Asphalt
- Ace Hardware, Inc
- Land Title Guarantee Company
- WaterStone
- USA Stone and Marble
- Overton Recycling Inc
- Allied Accounting Services Inc
- Mountain Man Taxidermy
- Olszewski & Massih PC
- M. Light & Sons
- Vargas Construction
- United Way of the Yampa Valley
- Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials
- Jeremy and Arden Boobie Philanthropic Fund
The Foundation and a coalition of community partners are preparing for the next disaster by forming the Northwest Colorado Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD). The COAD brings together nonprofit, governmental, voluntary and faith-based organizations to address the needs of the people in Northwest Colorado, effectively and equitably, in times of disaster so that the potential impacts are minimized. The COAD Steering Committee partners with Emergency Management in the county in which the disaster occurs to ensure effective, efficient, and streamlined service delivery when a crisis occurs, eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort.
To learn more about the COAD, disaster preparedness and recovery, and how to contribute and get involved, visit: Northwest Colorado COAD