In this special episode of Bree on a Budget, host Bree Anne Pappan sits down with Chris Segura, director of communications and engagement for United Way of Southern Colorado, to discuss the response to the Aspen Acres Fire and the long road from emergency relief to community recovery.

Recorded while the wildfire remained active, the conversation examines the rapidly changing needs of evacuated and displaced residents. Segura explains how the Southern Colorado Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund, Disaster Assistance Center and local partner organizations are connecting families with temporary housing, transportation, food, financial assistance, mental health support and other essential services. He also discusses how donation needs evolve, why coordination matters and how relief organizations are beginning to prepare for the difficult months and years that follow a disaster.

Beyond the immediate response, Bree and Segura explore the emotional toll of leaving home, the uncertainty faced by families assessing damage and the challenges confronting residents who may be uninsured or underinsured. At the heart of the episode is a powerful story of neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, first responders and volunteers answering the call.

Recovery is not only about replacing what was lost. It is about making sure people have the resources, relationships and community support needed to move forward. In Southern Colorado, that work has already begun.

Pueblo, we’ve got your back.

Bree on a Budget is a production of the Voices of Pueblo podcast, presented by the Pueblo Star Journal with support from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.