A new center opened at the Pueblo Academy of Arts, 29 Lehigh Ave., to help residents of Pueblo and Custer counties who’ve been evacuated or impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire.

The Pueblo County Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) opened at 1 p.m. Wednesday to serve as a one-stop resource center to assist survivors with the recovery process.

“This has been an incredibly difficult week for Pueblo County," County Commissioner Paula McPheeters said in a press conference announcing the opening of the center. “The one word that comes to my mind is devastating."

 

“Today, I'm encouraged by the opening of the Pueblo County Disaster Assistance Center … This center will open today with community resources, local nonprofit organizations, city and county offices, and more partners to assist in the recovery from this fire. To my friends, neighbors, and all those feeling the weight of this week, we are here for you. You will not face the recovery alone.”

Services available at the center include victim assistance, the United Way of Southern Colorado, Care and Share Food Bank, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, behavioral health, the Pueblo County Department of Human Services, the American Red Cross, agriculture support, and private insurance, according to a Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office news release.

“We know these are really difficult times, but the beauty of our community is that we always show up for one another when times are difficult, and that is held true with the number of people who have reached out who want to donate, to volunteer, and to support those being impacted,” said Shanna Farmer, president and CEO of the United Way of Southern Colorado.

“So, I want to thank you all for stepping up to support your community. … This (the DAC) is a wonderful opportunity to provide resources in a one-stop shop. We've got a variety of organizations who will be here, from Pueblo County Department of Human Services, offering SNAP benefits and Veterans Affairs support, 211, Health Solutions, Insurance Bureau, Care and Share will be on site with food, Red Cross, the Pueblo City-County Health Department for vaccines and other health-related information, and a variety of other services, including United Way of Southern Colorado."

Individuals will be required to have proof of residency to enter the DAC, such as a photo ID with address, a piece of mail, or other official documents that show an address.

The entrance to the DAC will be on the east side of the school. Those seeking assistance should enter from the parking lot on Colgate Lane.

The DAC will be open on Wednesday, July 1, from 1 to 5 p.m.; Thursday, July 2, from 1 to 5 p.m.; Friday, July 3, from 3 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The center will be closed on Sunday, but will reopen Monday, July 6, from 1 to 5 p.m.

The center is only scheduled to remain open through July 6, but Amy Tanabe, the southeast regional manager for the Department of Local Affairs, said the date is flexible and will be adjusted based on community need.

“We need to be here as long as the community needs us,” she said.

Chieftain Editor Zach Hillstrom can be reached at zhillstrom@usatodayco.com or on X at @ZachHillstrom. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.