It was the second major flood in two weeks. From the Four Corners region to Alamosa, more than 20 trillion gallons of rain — equivalent to 10 months of flow over Niagara Falls — fell across the Four Corners states and Nevada in a span of 14 days, according to former NOAA chief scientist Ryan Maue. The deluge followed a summer of punishing drought.

As the region began to dry out, Appenzeller lamented his forgotten ballot. “I would have voted for laws. I’m kind of done voting for people,” he said. “But I didn’t get to even put in my vote. This is the first time since I was 18 I didn’t get to put in my vote. Because I was stuck in Pagosa during voting day.”

Despite his disillusionment, Appenzeller is hoping politicians will come through. A year ago, the White House denied federal disaster funding to help the region recover from floods — a decision that came as President Donald Trump was pressuring Gov. Jared Polis to commute the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. After Polis commuted her sentence, the federal government released $90 million in long-delayed disaster mitigation funding in September.

“I just hope we get our funding. I mean, I know Trump likes to kind of sit on his hands a little bit,” Appenzeller said. “I know he is not a big fan of our governor, but I hope they can get their differences away and help us out however they can.”

On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and newly reelected Rep. Jeff Hurd arrived in Pagosa Springs by military helicopter to tour the damage and meet with local officials at the town’s airport. They spent about an hour hearing a long list of needs.

Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux said natural gas lines were compromised and some communities remained trapped beyond destroyed roads. Pagosa Springs Mayor Shari Pierce said the town’s sanitation system was “hanging on by a thread.” But the biggest concern was the number of homes destroyed in Pagosa Springs and Durango, leaving many residents out of work and without flood insurance. Towns would need money quickly to keep people housed and businesses open before winter.

“Were there any resources that you or anyone else has requested that you haven’t been able to get or that you’ve had trouble getting?” Hurd asked Town Manager David Harris.

“Just the disaster declaration,” Harris replied. “That’s the big kahuna. Last year and this year.”

A federal disaster declaration would unlock FEMA funding for short-term emergencies and long-term rebuilding, covering roads, homes, utilities and parks. Business owners could apply for grants, and immigration status is not supposed to affect eligibility. But as FEMA funding has become increasingly politicized under the Trump administration, many Democratic leaders worry their states’ requests will be denied.

Colorado’s recent experience offers little reassurance. While a portion of requested assistance for the devastating Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires was approved this summer, individual assistance to help residents rebuild or recoup losses was denied. Polis is now pursuing aid through the Small Business Administration instead of appealing the denial — but SBA assistance comes as loans, not grants, leaving homeowners and renters on the hook to repay the federal government with interest.

Hurd and Bennet said they are leading the charge to secure a federal disaster declaration for the floods. Colorado’s entire congressional delegation signed a letter to President Trump on Nov. 4 requesting assistance.

“Our state partners have been terrific, and now it’s the turn of the federal government to make sure that we are supporting every single person in this wonderful county, getting things back and running as quickly as we can,” Hurd told the crowd. “It was eye-opening to see the scope of damage and devastation as we were coming into Pagosa Springs this morning.”

Bennet acknowledged that “the chaos of our political system” is a hurdle, but said the state is doing its best to ensure its pitch lands. “As the governor’s office said, they’re figuring out what the best way to put that story together is, to get the funding that we need,” he said. “Jeff Hurd and I are going to lead the delegation to make sure that this gets to the top of the president’s desk, one way or another.”

While elected officials navigate Washington, residents are relying on each other. Jodi Jacquinot had planned to open an antique shop at the River Center strip mall on Nov. 6. Instead, nearly everything she had collected for the opening was destroyed by oozing mud. Students from Pagosa Springs High School, out of class, came to help shovel out the mess last Thursday. About 20 community members showed up, including excavation workers volunteering with backhoes.

“It’s a big blow,” Jacquinot said. “But Pagosa is coming together and supporting each other. And so we just have to keep going. Every day, that’s what we’re telling ourselves: just keep going, just keep going, just keep going.”

She hopes the government will step up for businesses and residents like her. “We need support, we just do,” she said.

On Friday, despite the heavy toll, Jacquinot’s friends and family danced as they scrubbed old plates and trinkets in the parking lot — a moment of joy amid the ruin.

Appenzeller, the homebuilder, said he has watched communities along the flood plain come together. He expects to be busy soon and will volunteer his labor, but he would also like to get paid for it. It could be a lean winter for many.

“Politically, I don’t care either way. I just want whatever help that this community deserves. And I do believe that we all deserve a little help,” he said.

He added that the disaster may have hit at an unexpected moment of unity. “I think the storm might have hit at the right time. Because when everybody should be screaming and yelling at each other, they’re all out in their muck boots and helping each other out,” he said. “I think that’s cool.”