Colorado
Homeowners could seem some relief in the coming months when it comes to insurance, what lawmakers are working on now
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Homeowners in the State of Colorado may have some relief coming in the next few months as lawmakers are working on some new bills when it comes to insurance costs and natural disasters. In Colorado, there are two big natural disasters every year: hail and wildlife. Here in the Pikes Peak region, many residents are at risk of both.
Natural disasters across the country like Hurricane Helene or the massive wildfires in California have many thinking about insurance rates.
“If the reinsurance market gets a little bit tight, if it gets more expensive for the All States or the State Farms, that can find its way into our market,” said Michael Conway, Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner.
“Other insurers might look at the wildfires in California as unprecedented, so they are trying to look at how did this happen. Do we have the same scenario, can it happen here?” asked Shannon Martin, an insurance analyst with Bankrate.
According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association, premiums have already gone up 57% from 2018 to 2023.
“When you talk to homeowners, the message that you get is that the market is challenging for them. Their premiums have gone up. Maybe they’ve had to switch insurance companies,” said Conway.
Conway is working with Colorado lawmakers on two bills that aim to bring relief to homeowners. One has been introduced so far.
“The first bill is making sure, if folks are mitigating their property and if communities are building mitigation into their communities, we want to make sure that people are getting their bang for the buck. We {also} want to build the first in the nation, a wildfire catastrophe program, where we would really be taking on a portion of the wildfire risk in the state so that we would get insurance companies to decrease premiums that they are charging the folks,” said Conway.
The bill and potential legislation are currently being worked on in the state’s capitol, but in the meantime, as we inch closer to another hail season, officials advise it’s best to prepare now.
“The best piece of advice is to understand that you are going to have to assume more risk as a homeowner. That basically means you need to invest in your home, do everything you can to make it as resilient to the climate that you live in as possible,” said Martin.
In 2023, lawmakers passed the fair program to help homeowners with coverage when other companies are not available.
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An investigation is underway after authorities found a body near a picnic area in western Colorado last weekend that appears to have been eaten by a bear.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office says the human remains were located on Sunday near the Wild Rose Picnic Area off Lands End Road on the Grand Mesa. Investigators say the remains were scavenged and scattered, and they believe the person was consumed by a bear and other wildlife.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the person and officially determine their cause of death.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who was in the area of the Wild Rose Campground between June 22 and July 5, 2026, and noticed anything suspicious to contact Investigator Jenna Reed at (970) 244-3274.
They added that Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes there is no threat to the community at this time.
The area is home to black bears, and the MCSO shared several guidelines for the community to prevent human-bear conflicts:
- Stay alert and together: Go with others when possible, keep children in sight and close by, and avoid using headphones so you can hear your surroundings.
- Food safety: Double-bag food, pack out all food and trash, and don’t burn scraps and trash in fire rings/grills or leave them behind.
- Pet safety: Keep dogs on a leash at all times or leave them at home; don’t force a bear to defend itself.
- Camping safety: Set up camps away from dense cover or natural food sources and do not cook or store food near/in a tent. Secure food in bear-resistant containers or suspend at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet away from any part of the tree.
- Know how to respond: Don’t approach bears; quietly move away. Never run, as it may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, wave your arms, and yell until it leaves. Stay with your group, use bear spray, and fight back aggressively if necessary.
- Bear spray: Carry bear spray and know how to use it correctly. It’s not repellent; don’t spray your tent, campsite, or belongings.
Damage assessments are still ongoing for homes and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado, but over 200 homes have been confirmed destroyed so far. The United Way of Southern Colorado is working to raise relief funds for those affected and says it’s making progress towards its fundraising goal.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said they’ve assessed approximately 67% of the properties affected in the county. Authorities have confirmed the loss of 192 homes and four commercial structures so far and are working to contact property owners as quickly as possible.
Lucero urged everyone affected by the fire to use the survivor portal for more information on assistance.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith says they’ve lost approximately 83 homes so far, almost 2% of the county’s homes. The worst hit area is along the Highway 165 corridor, Smith added. He said that authorities don’t expect any new evacuation areas, but are not yet ready to release the existing evacuation orders.
Smith said a hotline is available during business hours for affected Custer County Residents to ask questions. He urged residents to contact them at (719) 467-0271 and advised they may need to leave a voicemail if the line is busy due to the high number of calls.
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near the burn scar, which could affect nearby homes.
The President of the United Way of Southern Colorado, Shanna Farmer, said the organization is working to raise wildfire relief funds for those affected. Over the last few days, they have reached just over $417,000 of their $10 million goal.
“It has been incredible, the number of individuals and companies who have come out to support, to provide matches, and to provide innovative ways to raise those funds,” said Farmer. “And so, I encourage anyone who is willing to work with us on a corporate, business, or individual level to please reach out because it is going to take all of us to help rebuild.”
Farmer said that the community not only needs help with their immediate needs but also long-term support. She urged anyone interested in donating to visit their website.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says anyone who has evacuated needs to contact the Disaster Assistance Center located at 29 Lehigh Ave. in Pueblo. The center is open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. and provides multiple resources for those forced to evacuate.
Residents must also visit the center to obtain a re-entry pass, which will allow them to return home once evacuation orders have been lifted. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. Visitors can sign up online to reserve a place in line for faster service.
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