Colorado National Forests Put September Flood Damage at $17M

September flooding caused nearly $17 million in damage to roads, trails, campgrounds and other facilities in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests in northern Colorado.

The Forest Service released a preliminary assessment Friday. It said flooding damaged more than 380 miles of roads, 230 miles of trails and 20 facilities including campgrounds, picnic areas and boating access areas.

Four bridges were also damaged.

The flood left multiple debris slides, one of which was 2 miles long and crossed several roads.

The Forest Service says erosion from rainfall and snowmelt is expected to cause additional damage for up to three years.

The preliminary assessment didn’t include damage to natural resources such as forests, fisheries and water quality.

The mid-September floods killed nine people and damaged or destroyed nearly 2,000 homes.