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Nine News: "Ritter declared the state of emergency on Monday and authorized $3 million to help cover the cost of fighting the fire in Larimer County. The governor gave a verbal OK for the money on Sunday, and the authorization was signed by Senate President Brandon Shaffer on Monday since Ritter and Lt. Governor Barbra O'Brien were out of the state.

The fire forced many to quickly evacuate their homes on Sunday after the fire started around 10 a.m. near the Flatiron Reservoir. Authorities at one point ballparked the size of the fire at 1,000 to 2,000 acres, but now say GPS estimates show the size of the fire at closer to 600 to 700. Fire officials say the fire may be controlled in the next 24 hours.

"Absolutely, we need to control it today," Major Bill Nelson of the Larimer County Sheriff's office said. "And assuming the weather holds like it is, and we can get the air resources up in the air, I think we have enough resources to do that, but it's dependant on what happens with the weather."