WSPC03680

• File Number: 5000.300
• Description: Flood Protection Section - Mudflow Mitigation Plan - 1987
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 1/1/1987
• Title: Colorado Landslide Hazard Mitigation Plan - 1987 - Preliminary Draft
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

002827

MOdifying the Consequences of Lands1iding

Modification of the consequences of 1ands1iding consists of techniques
designed to assist individuals and communities in the preparation, survival,
and recovery from hazard occurrences. Such techniques include determination
of liability, increasing public awareness by information dissemination,
disclosure, and the redistribution of economic losses over time and among a
larger segment of society through insurance.

The consequences of 1ands1iding in Colorado are primarily loss of life and
property. Although these losses are only now developing in large-scale terms,
the potential for much higher losses is growing rapidly as urbanization and
development continues in Colorado's mountainous, steep-slope areas.

The consequences
expressed as the
generate losses.
better understand:

of landsliding on individuals and governments can be
measure of increased liability that develops as these events
The losses now occurring in Colorado underscore the need to

liability as a consequence
mitigative action,
- the range of measures
other consequences of

of 1ands1iding and as an incentive for

that can be employed
1andsliding.

to modify liability and the

A discussion of these issues is presented below.

Liability: Increasing liability threatens a variety of Coloradans:
homeowners or their agents, builders, developers, architects, engineers
governmental entities and many others. The threat of litigation may act as a
deterrent to poor construction and faulty hillside maintenance practices;
concern regarding potential liability may provide an incentive to reduce the
landslide hazard.

Establishing liability is the legal means developed by society to recover
damages (losses from 1ands1iding: bodily injury, medical expenses, death,
emotional stress, economic loss) due to a "wrong".

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