DENVER - On August 2, 2024, Governor Polis took executive action to memorialize his verbal disaster declaration from July 5, 2024, in response to an avian flu outbreak in Weld County. This declaration activated the State Emergency Operations Plan and directed the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to take all necessary and appropriate State actions to assist with response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. Specifically, it unlocked the resources necessary to help affected poultry facilities respond to and contain outbreaks of avian flu. 

Today’s Executive Order memorialized this verbal declaration and extended the disaster declaration by an additional 30 days through September 1, 2024, due to the ongoing need to identify avian flu cases and due to the potential for further response to affected facilities. More information about the state’s response to avian flu can be found at ag.colorado.gov/HPAIresponse.