Disaster Damage as a Driver of Climate Resilience Policy Support

The 2021 Marshall Fire, the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history, destroyed over 1,000 homes and damaged many others in the communities of Louisville, Superior, and unincorporated Boulder County. This climate-enabled and weather-driven event displaced thousands of residents who then faced decisions about whether and how to rebuild. Prior to the Marshall Fire, these communities were known for their support of and commitment to climate action and resilience-building. After the fire, it was unclear whether residents would continue to support these climate and resilience policies as they navigated the practical challenges of rebuilding. Potential drivers of policy support that may be critical in the aftermath of a disaster include participation in recovery processes and trust in local government. Additionally, the level of damage experienced may interact with these drivers. We surveyed households across the three affected (N=823) about six months postevent. The survey included a series of questions focused on climate beliefs, pre- and post-fire participation in and trust of disaster recovery decision processes and level of support for local policies including land use policies, building standards, and energy efficiency standards. Our findings suggest that residents who were most severely affected by the Marshall Fire reported lower levels of support for resilience policies (stricter energy efficiency policies and building codes) compared to other residents. Trust in fire recovery decision-making processes was found to be a significant correlate of support of these policies.