Flood insurance in Colorado

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Colorado, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
16,061
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,155
$115 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$91.7M
across 5,802 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
54%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Colorado, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2013, with $72.6 million paid on 2,301 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE54%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C46%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 45% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Colorado

EventYearClaimsPaid
Late summer storms20132,157$69.7 million
Flooding199791$585 thousand
Colorado Burn Scar Flash Flooding20223$270 thousand
Flooding198322$143 thousand

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Colorado with detailed pages, by number of policies. 32 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Boulder County4,310$1,1911,784$50.1 million
Jefferson County1,653$877491$3.1 million
El Paso County1,441$1,057857$6.0 million
Larimer County1,050$1,131547$15.1 million
Denver County1,036$1,068243$719 thousand
Arapahoe County787$545207$1.0 million
San Miguel County532$2,34518$133 thousand

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Colorado?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Colorado costs about $1,155 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Colorado?

There are about 16,061 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Colorado, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Colorado flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Colorado have filed 5,802 flood claims, with $91.7 million paid out. 501 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.