5,775 flood insurance claims·$90.2M paid·15,653 policies in force
0 flood alerts from the National Weather Service, checked just now. Whole U.S. →
| River gauge | Now | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Mancos River near Mancos | Minor flooding (6.4 ft) | — |
| Los Pinos River near Bayfield | Near flood stage (5.2 ft) | Near flood stage |
Is your address in the flood zone? Search it above for FEMA’s zone and base flood elevation. A new flood insurance policy usually takes 30 days to start (NFIP rule; exceptions include a policy bought when closing a mortgage), so one bought during a flood generally won’t cover it. Homeowners policies don’t cover flood.
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Colorado. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Colorado experiences a flood risk characterized predominantly by flash flooding, having recorded 1,550 flash flood events and 29 deaths compared to 471 general flood events and 18 deaths over the last 30 years according to NOAA data.
Federal disaster declarations reflect this persistent threat, highlighted by multiple severe storm and flooding declarations issued on June 8, 2023. These inland events underscore the state's vulnerability to sudden, severe weather systems that produce damaging floods, severe storms, and tornadoes.
National Flood Insurance Program records indicate that residents in FEMA Zone A face the highest risk, accounting for 2,648 claims and $58 million in total payments with an average claim of $33,444. However, significant risk extends beyond high-risk zones. Zone X properties account for 2,158 claims totaling $27 million, while unshaded and shaded Zone X categories together represent hundreds of additional claims and millions in payouts. This distribution demonstrates that surprise claims occur frequently outside of traditional high-risk areas, meaning property owners in lower-risk or unshaded zones also experience costly flood damage and may require coverage.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Colorado has received 667 federal disaster declarations, including 224 flood and coastal storm declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in Colorado FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Colorado had 15,653 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $1,001 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Colorado residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in Colorado →
Select a county to view local flood zone data and disaster history:
Select a city to check flood zone information: