Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Colorado Springs faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colorado Springs gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #59 of 159 in Colorado State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then wildfire (13%). Flood insurance has paid 243 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Colorado Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Colorado Springs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Wildfire
Hail
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Colorado Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colorado Springs, and Colorado Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #59 of 159 in Colorado State; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colorado Springs’ residents live in 127 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Colorado State town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Colorado Springs has less expected damage per building than 63% of Colorado State towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Colorado Springs has lower expected damage per building than 65% (#142 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $121M, is the 85th largest of those 400.
Does Colorado Springs flood? Yes: 243 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colorado Springs, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms67 claims · $776K
Colorado Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: El Paso County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Colorado Springs
Disasters that paid out in Colorado Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Colorado Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$4.6M to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$4.6M to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs61 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1,175 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$4.3M to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs
- 2013Black Forest Wildfire$149K to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs
- 2012High Park and Waldo Canyon Wildfires$1.1M to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$79K to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$40K to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs
- 1999Co-flooding 4/30/99$88K to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs25 flood claims paid that year
El Paso County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in El Paso County, 2012–2013.
Old photos of Colorado Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colorado Springs archive →Colorado Springs and its neighbors
Colorado Springs has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 243 |
| Gleneagle | C+more damage than 65% | wildfire | — |
| Security-Widefield | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Stratmoor | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Fountain | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Black Forest | Dmore damage than 88% | wildfire | — |
| Manitou Springs | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Colorado Springs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Colorado Springs residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Colorado Springs
Is Colorado Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colorado Springs has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #59 of 159 in Colorado State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and wildfire (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Colorado Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 243 claims in Colorado Springs since 1978, $2.2M in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (67).
Is Colorado Springs in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In El Paso County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Colorado Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Colorado Springs, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 1,175 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $4.3M to the City of Colorado Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 67 paid, $776K.
Is Colorado Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Colorado Springs’ rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colorado Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colorado Springs’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.