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Leslie Prieto is good at hanging back and letting people decide for themselves if they want to talk to her about what last year’s massive Marshall fire did to them.
“It’s just a casual atmosphere I am trying to promote,” said Prieto, an outreach crisis counselor for Mental Health Partners. “I am not here to pressure anyone. They have had enough to deal with over the past year.”
Prieto spoke Tuesday morning from behind her small desk at the Superior Community Center, where she sits every Tuesday. She offers guidance and resources to anyone dealing with the Dec. 30 fire, which swept through Louisville, Superior and unincorporated Boulder County, destroying and damaging more than 1,000 homes and over 30 commercial structures.
Many were forced to relocate in surrounding cities including Longmont and Broomfield until their homes could be rebuilt. Others were able to get their damaged homes repaired but are dealing with survivor’s guilt, Prieto said.
“In their heart, they know they didn’t have it as bad as others,” Prieto said. “But they are dealing with the fact their house was left intact, but their neighbor’s house was destroyed. They are having a real hard time with that.”
She said as the anniversary of the fire approaches, more people are coming forward with images of the fire still stamped on their minds and are asking for help dealing with their scarred memories, she said.
“Smoke is in the air,” Prieto said. “The anxiety levels are rising as the anniversary gets closer.”
A steering committee composed of fire survivors and other residents and supported by the City, Town, Boulder County, and other organizations, are planning a number of events to commemorate the anniversary, including a pet memorial, an event to thank first responders, a solidarity breakfast, a weekend of healing, and more, according to a Boulder County news release. For more information about these events, visit bouldercounty.gov/marshall-fire-commemoration.
Mental Health Partners, Jewish Family Services, Community Foundation Boulder County, are also working with Superior, Louisville and Boulder County to offer increased access to mental health resources ahead of the anniversary, according to the news release.
- Mental Health Partners and Jewish Family Service will have tables in Louisville and Superior at various times through at least the end of November. Counselors will be on-hand to talk with people about any issues they are dealing with or mental health concerns they may have and provide resources for referrals. Through November 29, counselors will be available at:
- Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Rd) every Tuesday (9:30-11:30 AM).
- Louisville Recreation & Senior Center (900 Via Appia) every Tuesday (3-6 PM), Wednesday (8-11 AM & 3-6 PM) and Thursday (8-11 AM).
- Louisville Public Library (951 Spruce St) every Thursday (2-5 PM) and during Storytime (find the schedule here).
- The Art Therapy Program offered through Superior’s CAPS Committee and Chamber continues through the end of December. Visit superiorchamber.com for more details. This is available to all impacted individuals.
- Mental Health Partners and Jewish Family Service are also providing crisis cards to businesses in Louisville and Superior and library service desks in Louisville, Broomfield, Boulder and Lafayette for distribution among the community. Crisis cards provide 24/7 phone, text, in-person and online access to mental health support.
Survivors can access counseling services and crisis support by calling 303-545-0852 or via email at [email protected]. Community resources can also be found at https://www.mhpcolorado.org/cowildfiresupport/.
Jewish Family Service and Community Foundation Boulder County continue to offer Boulder County Crisis Counseling to residents. The program offers 10 free individual or family counseling sessions and provides a pool of more than 200 licensed providers from which to choose. For additional details about the program, visit https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/bcc.
