Although the election has taken precedence in many of our minds this week there are still major efforts taking place across our state to continue to fight fires, a pandemic and recovery efforts for both. The following are ways you can help give back right here at home.

Courtesy photo – One of the T-shirt designs from wildfiretees.org that 100% of proceeds go to Colorado wildfire relief.

A group of designers, marketers and printers who live in Colorado joined together to put their design skills to work to support the wildfire relief efforts. T-shirts are available for purchase at wildfiretees.org where 100% of the profits go to the Colorado wildfire relief efforts across the state. You can purchase adult and child-size shirts as well as purchase a T-shirt for a firefighter.

Larimer County Fire Recovery Fund through the United Way of Larimer County has been tasked by Larimer County officials, Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), and partner agencies to launch a fund for private donations for those most affected by the fire. There will be short term and long term impacts – unmet needs may not surface for six months or even more. Donations are tax-deductible and will be distributed to affected community members through the Larimer County Fire Long Term Recovery Group. Visit uwaylc.org to donate or for more information.

Larimer Humane Society has gone above and beyond to help house displaced animals during the fires and continue to do the work they normally do of rescuing animals. To donate money to help continue supporting the rescue and emergency housing efforts during the Cameron Peak Fire visit larimerhumane.org.

If you would like to help with those who have been affected by the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fire, you can make a monetary donation to The American Red Cross by visiting redcross.org/local/Colorado.

Colorado Responds is a statewide effort to draw in not only funds but connect volunteers to help with fires and also the response to COVID-19 and other needs in the state. Organizations that are looking for volunteers can also be connected with potential candidates through the site coloradoresponds.org.

Helpcoloradonow.org is a resource specifically for COVID-19 related issues. This site is another place where you can volunteer, get information on blood donation, supply donations, join the response team, and give to organizations in need of funding due to the pandemic. This site also links to cooutdoordining.org where you can donate or get involved with the state’s effort to assist restaurants in preparing for outdoor dining throughout the winter months to help increase capacity.

For those who have been affected by the fires personally, recovery resources can be found by visiting larimer.org/wildfire-resources.