Colorado Springs may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of flood risk, but the city has several areas with significant flooding history. Understanding your flood risk is the first step to protecting your home.

Major Flood Risk Areas in Colorado Springs

Fountain Creek Corridor

Fountain Creek runs through the heart of Colorado Springs from north to south. Properties within the 100-year floodplain along Fountain Creek face the highest flood risk in the city. The 2013 floods demonstrated how quickly Fountain Creek can rise during intense rainfall events.

Monument Creek

Monument Creek, which flows through the west side of Colorado Springs before joining Fountain Creek, has a significant floodplain that affects properties in the downtown and Westside areas.

Cheyenne Creek

Cheyenne Creek flows through the Broadmoor and southwest Colorado Springs area. Flash flooding from Cheyenne Creek has historically affected properties in the Broadmoor and Old Colorado City areas.

How to Check Your Flood Zone

FEMA's Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) allows you to look up your property's flood zone designation. Properties in Zone A or Zone AE are in the 100-year floodplain and face the highest risk. Properties in Zone X are outside the mapped floodplain but can still flood.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Colorado Springs?

Standard homeowner's insurance does NOT cover flooding from outside the home. If your property is in a high-risk flood zone and you have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is required. Even if it's not required, flood insurance is worth considering for any property near a creek or drainage corridor.