Following the 2013 flood, the Colorado Hazard Mapping Program has been re-mapping the regulatory floodplain of the most affected waterways in Colorado

Boulder County, Colo. - Following the 2013 flood, the state-funded Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP) has been re-mapping the regulatory floodplain of the most affected waterways in Colorado.

In 2017 and 2018, Boulder County adopted comprehensive zoning map amendments to the Floodplain Overlay Zoning District based on draft CHAMP mapping for unincorporated Boulder County. The draft data were also submitted to FEMA, which released Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for CHAMP-studied stream reaches in September 2019. Boulder County adopted the Preliminary FIRMs into the Floodplain Overlay Zoning District in December 2019 after public hearings with the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners.

Last November, property owners impacted by the revisions were sent postcards informing them of the Preliminary FIRMs so they could review the maps prior to their adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. Interested parties are encouraged to visit www.BoCoFloodplainRemapping.com to view the Preliminary FIRMs, as well as the current regulatory floodplain for unincorporated Boulder County.

Open House Meeting Dates & Details

In order to review the FEMA appeals process and flood insurance requirements related to the Preliminary FIRMs with property owners and residents, Boulder County will host six open houses in January at various locations around the county. Representatives from FEMA, the CHAMP team, and Boulder County will be present at each session. Each open house will focus on specific reaches, but residents are invited to discuss any stream at each meeting:

• Lower Boulder Creek, New Dry Creek, Coal Creek, and Rock Creek - Tuesday, Jan. 14 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. (presentation at 5:15 p.m.)
  Boulder County Recycling Center – 1901 63rd Street in Boulder County
• Saint Vrain Creek, Lower Left Hand Creek, Dry Creek #2, and Little Thompson River - Thursday, Jan. 16 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. (presentation at 5:15 p.m.)
  Boulder County Parks and Open Space Ron Stewart Building – 5201 St. Vrain Drive in Longmont
• North, Middle, and South Saint Vrain creeks and Cabin Creek - Tuesday, Jan. 21 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. (presentation at 5:15 p.m.)
  Highlands Presbyterian Church – 1306 Business Highway 7 in Allenspark
• North and South Saint Vrain creeks and Saint Vrain Creek - Thursday, Jan. 23 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. (presentation at 5:15 p.m.)
  Lyons Regional Library – 451 Fourth Ave. in Lyons
• This is a joint meeting between Boulder County and the Town of Lyons
  Little James Creek, James Creek, Upper Left Hand Creek, and Geer Canyon - Tuesday, Jan. 28 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. (presentation at 5:15 p.m.)
  Jamestown Town Hall – 118 Main St. in Jamestown
  This is a joint meeting between Boulder County and the Town of Jamestown
• Fourmile Canyon Creek, Two Mile Canyon Creek, Gold Run, Fourmile Creek, Boulder Creek and North, Middle, and South Boulder creeks - Thursday, Jan. 30 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. (presentation at 5:15 p.m.)
  Boulder Public Library Main Branch, Boulder Creek Room – 1001 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder

FEMA uses Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to set flood insurance premiums. The Preliminary FIRMs will become FEMA’s final effective FIRMs in 2021, pending any appeals received by FEMA. The county expects FEMA to begin their 90-day appeal period in the spring of 2020. During this period, anyone may work with the county to submit a formal appeal to FEMA based on scientific and technical data. Learn more about the appeal process and the National Flood Insurance Program on the county’s website.

Questions about the Floodplain Remapping Program and the upcoming open houses can be directed to Kelly Watson, Boulder County Transportation Floodplain Planner, by email or by calling 720-564-2652. You can also visit www.BoCoFloodplainRemapping.com to learn more and view any weather-related meeting cancellation notification.