JANUARY 6, 2022 – Approximately 60 members of the Colorado National Guard are helping law enforcement respond to the devastating Marshall Fire response in Boulder County.
Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency, which authorized the use of unarmed CONG assets for law enforcement purposes.
“People are our first priority,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Laura Clellan, the adjutant general of Colorado. “In the midst of the longest activation in our state’s history supporting the COVID-19 response, our dedicated CONG members are adequately prepared and trained to support the Boulder County, Superior and Louisville communities during this tragic event.
Our hearts go out to those affected. We are neighbors and we’re in this together.”
At the direction of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and State Emergency Operations Center, Colorado Guard members are helping direct traffic, provide security and evacuate displaced community members from the areas affected by the disaster.
Additionally, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has asked the Guard to help with COVID-19 testing due to increased lines at testing centers.
About 200 CONG members will augment personnel around the state to assist with testing operations throughout January.
More than 100 CONG members are already assisting the SEOC and CDPHE with vaccine and medical planning, vaccine site management, building and managing urgent care outreach, medical analysis of COVID-19 trends, and support to the CDPHE state laboratory in Denver.
Joint Task Force-Centennial’s COVID-19 task force, initially activated March 13, 2020, has been on duty for more than 650 days supporting the state with testing, contact tracing, planning, and vaccine transportation and distribution during the longest emergency response in Colorado history.
By Colorado National Guard