The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) issued the following statement in response to the tragic Boulder County fires:
“We mourn with the victims of this tragedy, and our coalition is heartbroken by the destructive fires in Boulder County. What should have been a festive time to gather with friends and family and celebrate the new year has instead become a time of tragic loss for thousands of people in our community. The loss of life, homes, and businesses is devastating and we’re working to bring resources to help our communities heal.
CIRC is committed to joining together as a community to help these families and all people affected recover and rebuild their lives. We applaud the quick response of the local, state and federal government, local organizations, and many generous community members, who helped save lives, opened their homes, and are providing relief to the thousands of people impacted by the Marshall Fire. For those looking for resources or ways to give back to our community, please check out this resource guide compiled by our friends and CIRC members at the American Friends Service Committee.
We are dedicated to working with immigrant-led and immigrant-serving organizations, and local governments to ensure that no one goes without receiving relief and recovery support based on their immigration status, the language they speak, or any other factor. We encourage anyone worried about barriers or who has faced challenges in accessing relief and recovery support to call The Colorado Rapid Response Network’s hotline at 1-844-864-8341.
We are devastated that our beautiful state has once again been ravaged by yet another wildfire. As our climate continues to warm, we fear that this will not be the last time that we are forced to mourn tragedies like these. As we work to heal and repair our community, we also call upon our elected officials throughout the state and country to recognize the immediate threats that climate change poses and to take immediate action to stop the devastation and keep us all safe.”