Flood Information & Resources

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural hazards in Colorado and have always been a part of the state's landscape. Some floods develop slowly, but flash floods can happen in minutes. Flood-prone areas have been identified in 267 Colorado cities and towns and in all 64 counties.

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Birds eye view of suburban houses partially submerged by brown flood waters from the 2013 South Platte flood.

Black and white image of a Victorian house partially destroyed by a flood in Telluride, 1914

A man with a shovel looking at the brown floodwaters in a house during the 2013 South Platte Flood

Two men shoveling water and debris away from store fronts in Denver after the 1880 Cherry Creek flood 1880

Several trucks partially submerged in a creek below a washed out road after the 2013 South Platte flood.

Red Warning sign on a tree surrounded by high water. The sign reads: In case of flooding clime to higher ground Immediately. Do not attempt to drive - Westcreek CO 2007

1933 Union Station surrounded by flood water with two cars driving through the water.

Four men in safety gear helping a woman through flood water in 2013

A ruined green-roofed cabin resting precariously on a bridge across the Big Thompson River with mountains in the background in 1976

A section of HWY 67 washed away by flood water in 2006

Ruined railroad tracks run along a flooded ditch and an overturned 6-wheeled truck after the 2013 South Platte flood

People with shovels gather on the mud and debris covered main street in Morrison after a flood in 1938

Overhead view of a house partially washed into a flooded river during the 2013 South Platte flood

The remains of a concrete bridge covered in debris and surrounded by a washed out road in Deckers - Westcreek 2006

Flood waters form a raging river down the main road in Blackhawk during a flood in 1887

Three men in rain coats pass along a sandbag while standing in rushing floodwaters

Two men paddle a canoe down the flooded main street of Walsenburg in 1907

A blue pickup truck is submerged up to its hood in floodwater during the 1976 flood of the Big Thompson River

Several vehicles lie partially buried in mud and debris at the base of a mudslide that covers a two lane mountain road.

Two houses sit precariously at the edge of a river rushing with flood waters in Eldorado Springs 1938

Overhead view of farmland covered in brown water after the 2013 South Platte flood

A flooded river cutting between two houses and across a washed out road in a mountain canyon

Storefronts partially submerged in Pueblo 1921

Overhead view of a partially washed out two lane road in a mountain canyon with a message written on the road reading: We R OK Gas Water Please!

Quick Links

REPORT FLOODING: (303) 279-8855

Colorado Flood Threat Bulletin

FEMA FloodSmart

Rules & Regulations for Regulatory Floodplains in Colorado

Flood After Fire

Disaster Recovery Guide

Am I in a Regulated Floodplain?

Colorado Hazard Mapping & Risk MAP Portal

Colorado Hazard Mitigation Plan

Colorado Fluvial Hazard Zone

Studies and Reports

Document Search
(Choose the Floodplain Documents Template to modify your search.)

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) provides leadership to assist in the preparation for and recovery from major flood events in Colorado, including coordination of federal, state and local resources through the Colorado Flood Task Force; dissemination of flood-related information; documentation of flood damages and flooded areas; mapping and re-mapping of regulatory flood-prone boundaries based on the best available information; and technical guidance and financial support to communities on a case by case basis.

The Colorado Mitigation and Recovery Site is focused on information needed for the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management's stakeholders. This includes information specific to our state disasters, our state recovery programs and information to mitigate future damages - including grants.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs' Resiliency Office (CRO) supports and empowers Colorado communities in building stronger, safer and more resilient in the face of natural disasters and other major challenges. The CRO coordinates overarching recovery and resiliency activities by collaborating with numerous multi-disciplinary local, state, federal, and private partners in setting priorities, leveraging resources, communicating, and delivering measurable results to shape an adaptable and vibrant future.

Area wildfires may increase your flood risk. Burned soil can be as water repellent as pavement. Rainfall that would normally be absorbed by soil may run off extremely quickly after a wildfire. These conditions, along with wet weather, can lead to flash flooding and mudflow for years following a wildfire. The time to get prepared is now. Visit FloodSmart.gov for more information.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) enables property owners to purchase flood insurance. Established by Congress through the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the NFIP is operated under the jurisdiction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This flood insurance is designed to provide an alternative to federal disaster assistance for property damage caused by floods. Flood insurance is generally unavailable through private-sector insurance companies.

In Colorado, there are currently more than 20,000 flood insurance policies in effect. In addition, 253 communities in Colorado participate in the NFIP.

The Community Assistance Program (CAP) is a product-oriented financial assistance program directly related to the flood loss reduction objectives of the NFIP. States and communities that are participating in the NFIP are eligible for this assistance.

The CAP is currently managed by the CWCB Watershed Protection and Flood Mitigation section and is intended to identify, prevent and resolve floodplain management issues in participating communities before they develop into problems requiring enforcement action. CWCB staff provide technical assistance to communities and evaluate community performance in implementing NFIP floodplain management activities with the additional goal of building state and community floodplain management expertise and capabilities.

In Colorado, this program has been in existence for more than 20 years. It has been effective in helping communities to understand the benefits of the NFIP and to assist in making sure that they follow the program guidelines.

The objective of the Community Rating System (CRS) is to reward communities doing more than the minimum NFIP requirements for flood prevention and loss reduction, and to provide incentives for communities to improve their flood protection programs. Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are lowered when a community takes extra action to reduce flood damages. The insurance savings can range from 5% to 45%. Most practices are implemented at the local level, although some state and district program activities can increase local credits.

In Colorado, 47 of the 253 Colorado communities in the NFIP are currently in the CRS.

Flood Insurance FAQs

Doug Mahan

NFIP Community Assistance Program Coordinator

(303) 866-3441 x3221

doug.mahan@state.co.us

The Colorado Hazard Mapping Program aims to provide a mitigation and land use framework in areas likely to be affected by future flooding, erosion, and debris flow.

Colorado Hazard Mapping & Risk MAP Portal