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Larimer County Offers Discounted Building Permits To High Park Fire Victims

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The High Park Fire was one of the worst fires this summer in Colorado. The lightning-caused wildfire burned more than 87,000 acres and destroyed 257 homes. Now, as homeowners work to rebuild, they face tough obstacles.

Larimer County has been helpful in assisting those affected to get back on their feet.

In order to help those who lost homes rebuild, Larimer County commissioners helped come up with a plan days after the fire began to help do just that. They decided to offer a $1,000 discount on building permits. The discounts are mainly for those underinsured or uninsured.

Larimer County Commissioner Lew Gaiter says it was their way of helping those affected.

"I think the thing that is really exciting is people deciding that, 'I moved here for a reason and I'm going to get on with my life,' and seeing people take these lemons in their lives and making lemonade and you see that American spirit where we are going to triumph over this adversity that's come before us," Gaiter said. "We're not going to let it get us down. 'Yeah, I took a hit, but I'm going to get back up and I'm going to come back out on top.' And I think that's what makes this country great."

RELATED: CBS4 IS ON THE ROAD FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE MONDAY SEPT. 10, 17, 24 AND OCT. 1

Commissioners also relaxed the rules to allow folks rebuilding the option of keeping a trailer on their property, and even allowing those who didn't have permits to build before the fire the option to once again rebuild.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.

- Read recent Wildfire stories.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

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