Natural Disasters in Colorado: History & Risk Data
63,972 recorded disaster events across 478 ZIP codes.
State Statistics
Event Timeline
Hazard Breakdown
Most Affected ZIP Codes in Colorado
📊 Colorado Disaster Profile
Colorado has one of the most extensive natural disaster records in the United States, with 63,972 documented events spread across 478 ZIP codes. The cumulative documented property damage stands at $77.3B. A total of 227 fatalities have been attributed to natural disasters in the state.
⚠️ Hazard Distribution
Hailstorms lead Colorado's disaster profile with 53,629 events (84%), causing $70.5B in property damage. Other significant hazards include tornadoes (2,911 events, $2.5B in damages), wildfires (2,727 events), and floods (2,470 events, $4.2B in damages). Colorado has no recorded hurricanes in the dataset.
📍 Geographic Impact
The most disaster-affected areas in Colorado include ZIP 80831 (521 events, $12M in damages), ZIP 80908 (510 events, $390.5K in damages), and ZIP 80907 (509 events, $27.9M in damages).
📈 Trends Over Time
Disaster frequency in Colorado has increased markedly over time. The average annual event count in recent decades is roughly 746% higher than in earlier periods of the record. The year 2023 stands out as particularly active, with 5,059 events recorded — likely driven by a major weather system or disaster season.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado
What natural disasters occur in Colorado?
Colorado has experienced 63,972 documented natural disaster events. The hazard types recorded include hailstorms (53,629), tornadoes (2,911), wildfires (2,727), floods (2,470), severe wind events (1,621), and earthquakes (614). The most common hazard is hailstorms, accounting for 84% of all events.
What are the most disaster-prone areas in Colorado?
Based on historical records, the most disaster-affected ZIP codes in Colorado are ZIP 80831 (521 events), ZIP 80908 (510 events), ZIP 80907 (509 events), ZIP 80909 (504 events), and ZIP 80918 (503 events). These areas have the highest concentration of recorded natural disaster events in the state.
How much damage have natural disasters caused in Colorado?
Natural disasters have caused a documented $77.3B in property damage across Colorado. This total is based on records from FEMA, NOAA, and USGS, covering events from the 1950s onward. The actual figure is likely higher, as not all events have complete damage records.
About This Data
State-level data aggregated from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →