FLOOD08745

• County: Statewide
• Community: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Colorado Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Date: 12/1/1999
• Prepared For: State of Colorado
• Prepared By: Kistner and Associates
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Mitigation/Flood Warning/Watershed Restoration

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Colorado Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan -1999

ard occurrence,

Hazard vulnerability is not new to the Colorado state
and local emergency management organizations, The
risk of living in close proximity to potential hazards is
well understood, While such risk is generally accepted
to be uncontrollable, vulnerability to a hazard or muili-
hazards can be reduced according to the degree of
preparedness practiced and enjoyed by a community,
Hazard mitigation is a process in which aspects of the
natural and technological hazards on the population
are reduced or eliminated,

2.4.1 Loss Potential
Loss potential in Colorado exists in 268 cities and
towns, All 63 Colorado counties have floodplains, Over
250,000 people now live in Coiorado's floodplain.
Flood loss potential is estimated that 65,000 homes
and 15,000 commercial, industrial and business struc-
tures are in iden@ed floodplains,

Total value of property, structure and contents at risk
from the 1 OO-year flood is now $11 billion (in 1999 dol-
lars), Cumulative flood losses from the turn of the cen-
tury damaging floods exceed $4.4 billion (1999 dol-
lars),

In 1994, there were 9,893 flood insurance policies. in
1997, there were 14,058 policies in force, In July
1999, there were 15,203 flood insurance policies state,
wide with an insured value of $1,784,587,400,

2,4.2 Colorado Floodplain Management
Colorado is taking a proactive approach to floodplain
management and loss reduction, Only a few communi-
ties are not enrolled in the National Flood Insurance
Program, Floods in Colorado are occurring on an an-
nual basis, impacting many communities. Flood losses
each year are mounting due to existing development in
the floodplain. Several Colorado communities sub-
scribing to Project Impact are making a difference and
will see the results of their efforts during future flood
events.

Colorado Flood Insurance Facts

Total
Premium

Total
Policies

Coverage
Total

Number of
Claims Since

Claims Paid
Since 1978

$ 7,142,251

15,203

$1,784,587,400

$4,927,098
Figure 2.10

1,429

Source: FEMA Region 8 Flood Insurance Program-July20, 1,999

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