About Floodplain Mapping
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Following the September 2013 flood disaster, Colorado has taken steps toward long-term planning and resiliency efforts for flooding and other natural hazards. In early 2015, Colorado’s Legislature passed a funding bill for the Colorado Hazard Mapping Program, which aims to provide a mitigation and land use framework in areas likely to be affected by future flooding, erosion, and debris flow events.

The Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP) preparing updated hazard information for the streams most affected by the September 2013 flooding, beginning in the Big Thompson & St. Vrain watersheds as well as the South Platte River. Phase I & II includes field reconnaissance and survey, creating terrain models from updated topographic datasets, evaluating hydrology (flows), and modeling to produce flood hazard area limits reflecting the changed conditions. Community leaders will use the updated hazard information to assess risk and identify mitigation opportunities in their community. The updated information is also intended to eventually be used to update Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), which are used to determine flood insurance requirements.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is the lead agency coordinating the Colorado Hazard Mapping Program. CWCB is working with AECOM, a nationally-recognized engineering firm, to conduct the technical work. The map below shows the project streams.