the Aspen Acres burn area of Custer and Pueblo counties
Burn-scar flooding: what to do
Burned ground can’t soak up rain, so storms over the Aspen Acres burn scar send water, mud, and debris down North Creek, Middle Creek, and Squirrel Creek toward Beulah. Expect it again after heavy rain for the next few years.
- Get alertsSign up for Pueblo County emergency alerts and keep phone weather alerts on. When a flash flood warning covers the burn scar: stay home or get to high ground. Never drive through a flooded road or around a barricade.
- Document before you cleanPhotos and video of every room, the yard, the driveway, and the high-water line. Keep receipts for pumps, fans, and cleanup supplies.
- File flood as its own claimHomeowner policies exclude flood. Rising water is an NFIP or private flood claim, separate from the fire claim — even when the fire caused the flooding.
- Dry out fastWet drywall, insulation, and flooring start growing mold within a day or two. Get water out, open walls where needed, and keep documenting as you go.
- Get flood coverage now if you don’t have itNFIP coverage normally starts 30 days after purchase. The Post-Wildfire Exception can waive that wait when flooding comes off burned federal land — Aspen Acres burned part of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Eligibility is decided case by case; ask your agent.
Numbers to keep
- Emergency alerts
- Pueblo County (RAVE): pueblosheriff.com › How Do I › Sign Up For
- Free volunteer cleanup
- Crisis Cleanup: (970) 283-7325
- Recovery Assistance Center
- Beulah Heights Elementary, 2670 Delphinium St, Pueblo · Mon–Fri 12–6 p.m.
- Flood insurance
- Your agent, or floodsmart.gov — ask about the Post-Wildfire Exception
- Emergencies
- Call 911
- Free flood-risk walkthrough
- Ruff Construction: 719-744-2566
Our promise: No surge pricing. The same rates in Beulah as anywhere else we work. No door-knocking and no high-pressure sales. You call us, or we don’t come. We never pay, waive, or rebate deductibles — it’s illegal in Colorado, and it’s a red flag from anyone who offers. We don’t negotiate your insurance claim for you. We scope the work and document it; licensed public adjusters handle claim advocacy. Local first: we hire and buy locally for work in the burn area whenever we can.
Informational only — not legal or insurance advice. Ruff Construction (Ruff 2 Finish Construction LLC), licensed & insured Colorado general contractor, Pueblo West.