Photo: Yassie · CC BY-SA 4.0Golden’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Golden gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #99 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hail (37%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1980.
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 Golden’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Golden 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Wildfire
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 Golden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Golden, and Golden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #99 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Golden’s residents live in 10 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Colorado town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Golden has more expected damage per building than 62% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.5M a year in losses across Golden: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Golden flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Golden, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms2 claims · $47K
Golden is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Golden
Disasters that paid out in Golden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Golden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides685 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$52K to the City of Golden for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$25K to the City of Golden for repairs
Jefferson County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Golden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Golden archive →Golden and its neighbors
Golden is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | B−more damage than 53% | hail | 93 |
| West Pleasant View | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Golden | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Fairmount | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Golden 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Golden residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Golden
Is Golden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Golden has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #99 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hail (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Golden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Golden since 1980, $49K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (2).
Is Golden 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 Jefferson County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Golden?
Golden is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Golden?
By FEMA money that reached Golden, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 685 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $52K to the City of Golden for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 2 paid, $47K.
Is Golden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Golden’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Golden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Golden’s 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.