Floodplain Remapping Project

VIEW MAPS & PROVIDE FEEDBACK

OFFICIAL FLOODPLAIN MAP

The interactive web map (use the button above) shows detailed flood risk zones and related FEMA map amendments that are currently regulated throughout unincorporated Boulder County as Floodplain Overlay Zoning District. This map will update as new FEMA maps become effective throughout Boulder County and as the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopts best available information.

The Boulder County Regulatory Flood Risk Zones were updated on Jan. 10, 2020 to reflect changes to the Floodplain Overlay District based on FEMA’s Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for stream reaches studied by the Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP). The Preliminary FIRMs were adopted by the BOCC via Docket Z-19-0001.

VIEW PRELIMINARY FIRMs

Visit the interactive web map (use button above) to view FEMA’s Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for stream reaches studied by CHAMP. We expect the CHAMP Preliminary FIRMs will become effective FIRMs in 2021, pending any appeals received by FEMA. At that time, the updated CHAMP mapping will be used for flood insurance rating.

NEW INFORMATION

• Project Newsletter #10 – January 2020 (FINAL ISSUE)
• Learn about the FEMA appeals process for unincorporated Boulder County.
• Register for the project listserv to receive newsletters and timely information by email

ABOUT THE CHAMP MAPS

Following the 2013 Flood, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) initiated a program to re-map the predicted 1% annual chance flood zone (100-year floodplain) of the most affected waterways (shown in the image above). The program was called the “Colorado Hazard Mapping Program,” or CHAMP. Draft map data and related flood studies for the CHAMP– studied reaches were adopted by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) through Docket Z-17-0001 and Docket Z-17-0002. In September 2019, FEMA released Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for the same CHAMP reaches, refining the draft maps. The Preliminary FIRMs were adopted by the BOCC, replacing the draft map data via Docket Z-19-0001 to allow the county to base floodplain regulations on the best available data. In 2022, upon final FEMA approval and adoption, the floodplain mapping will become for flood insurance purposes.

Please contact the Floodplain Management Team (info below) with questions or to learn more about the floodplain mapping changes.