New Floodplain Maps Take Effect This November
On November 27, 2026, the updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) will become effective for Unincorporated Larimer County. The County must adopt the updated FIRMs and FIS to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Portions of the Big Thompson River Basin and portions of the Cache la Poudre River Basin will be impacted by the updated floodplain mapping.
This process is response to the September 2013 flood and a proactive effort to update flood risks. New topography and hydrology have been incorporated into the updated floodplain maps.
The schedule for adoption of the updated floodplain maps includes a Larimer County Planning Commission meeting on September 16 and a Larimer County Board of County Commissioners meeting on October 12, 2026.
Unincorporated Larimer County residents can search their specific address and view the upcoming flood risk boundaries at the Larimer County Land Information Locator.
- Locate your address
- Type your address into the search box at the top right of the screen
- Click the magnifying glass icon
- Access the map layers
- Open the Layers tab located at the bottom left
- Disable the current FEMA layer
- Uncheck the box next to FEMA (Current Effective - Countywide) to hide this layer
- Enable the updated FEMA layer
- Check the box next to FEMA Floodplains Draft Current Effective to turn this layer on
- Note: This active layer highlights the specific areas undergoing changes
