Floodplains

Alexander Mountain Fire Recovery

Alexander Mountain Fire recovery information.
Document Accessibility

Some of the PDF documents on this page may not be fully accessible. If you require assistance accessing any content, please contact Larimer County’s ADA Coordinator. For more information, visit our Accessibility and Grievance Procedure page or call (970) 498-5967.
Interactive Floodplain Map
Larimer County Floodplain Regulations
Flood Review Board

Need a Permit?

Larimer County joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1974 and has been managing floodplains ever since. The county uses floodplain standards and maps as the main tools in its Floodplain Management Program.

In Larimer County, development in the Floodway is heavily restricted. New buildings cannot be built, and major changes to existing structures are not allowed. There are fewer restrictions in the Flood Fringe areas.

Identifying floodplains

The County’s interactive map can help you find out if your property is in a regulatory floodplain. Just enter your address in the search box or zoom to your area.

FEMA’s Map Service Center is another useful tool.

Remember, even if your property is not in a regulatory floodplain, it doesn’t mean there is no flood risk. Many areas in Larimer County are not shown in a floodplain but still have unknown flood hazards.

If your structure is in the floodplain

The NFIP allows property owners to buy flood insurance. If you have a mortgage or loan, you will be required to have flood insurance if your property is in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain.

Floodway vs. Flood Fringe

A graphic showing the difference between Floodway and Flood Fringe areas.

Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP) Portal

The State of Colorado has studied and mapped flooding through the "Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP)." This state-funded program helps update flood risk maps, especially in areas affected by the 2013 Colorado floods. It uses detailed methods to assess flood risks.

FAQs

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  1. What is a 100 Year Flood and How is it Determined?

    Floods happen at irregular intervals. In the 1960s, the U.S. government decided to use the 1% Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) flood as the basis for the National Flood Insurance Program. The 1% AEP flood was chosen to balance protecting the public without being too strict. This flood has a 1-in-100 chance of happening in any given year, so it’s also called the "100-year flood." A home in the 1% (100-year) floodplain has a 26% chance of being flooded at least once during a 30-year mortgage.

Engineering Department - Floodplain

Attn Floodplain
200 West Oak Street, Suite 3000
P.O. Box 1190
Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190

(970) 498-5732
Email