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Floodplain Management
Everyone Has a Flood Risk. Do You Know Yours?
Newer homes built in Westminster are not allowed to be constructed in a floodplain. Older homes located near a waterway that was built before may be in a floodplain.
See If You're in a Floodplain
Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer allows you to search for your property to see if it's in a floodplain. You can also find this information on Mile High Flood District’s Floodplain Management Information Hub
Flood Insurance
If you live in a floodplain, you may need to purchase flood insurance. Homeowners' policies do not include coverage for flood damage. Westminster participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which allows residents to purchase a separate flood insurance policy through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This coverage may be required by your lender when applying for a home mortgage. Be sure it covers the building's contents as well as its structure.
For more information on flooding and flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov or contact your insurance agent.
To find out if a structure is within a high hazard flood zone, visit the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Viewer or contact the City's floodplain administrator.
Flood Insurance Discounts
Westminster holds a Class 6 Rating from the NFIP's Community Rating System (CRS). This rating provides a 20% discount on flood insurance premiums to properties in particular flood hazard areas. There are approximately 1,517 communities participating in CRS nationwide. Westminster is 1 of 245 communities with a Class 6 rating in the country and ranks higher than approximately 73% of other communities.
Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)
The community HMP Hazard Mitigation Plan (PDF) contains a list of action items the City can take to reduce our risk of flooding. The Annual Action Progress Report can be viewed here.
Flood Safety
- Sign up for emergency alerts.
- Don't drive, walk or bike through floodwaters. Twelve inches of flowing water can float a small car.
- Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Report downed power lines to Xcel Energy.
- Have your electricity turned off by Xcel Energy.
- Look out for small animals that may have escaped the flood and are seeking shelter in your home.
- Be alert for gas leaks. Don't smoke, use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.
- Check water levels in Big Dry Creek and Little Dry Creek. Go to USGSs website (more info below).
Litter thrown into our ditches and streams may contribute to localized flooding by not allowing stormwater to drain from the area.
Please pick up after yourself when enjoying a day by the water.
Report any excess debris at 303-706-3367 or email the Stormwater Hotline.
A permit from the Building Division may be needed to ensure that projects do not cause flooding problems on other properties.
The Westminster Public Library has information about flood-proofing your home. Before implementing any flood-proofing measures, contact the City's Building Division to obtain a permit.
To find current water level data in the City of Westminster’s creeks, please go to the USGSs website and use their interactive map to find the two stream gages for Little Dry Creek and one gage for Big Dry Creek. To find the gages, type in “Westminster, Colorado” under “Find a Place” in the top left corner of the website. Click the circles on the map for each gage to see current water level data.
If your home or business is in a high-risk area, you will likely need an Elevation Certificate (EC). An Elevation Certificate documents important features of your property, including its location, flood zone, building characteristics and, most importantly, the elevation of its lowest floor. An Elevation Certification, prepared by a licensed land surveyor, is needed to know your building’s actual elevation. When the elevation is compared to the estimated height that floodwaters will reach during a major flood, this can help provide a true picture of the status of compliance with floodplain ordinances, determine your flood risk, and determine the cost of your flood insurance premium. Elevation Certificates also provide more site-specific information than FEMAs floodplain maps to help determine if your home is actually in the floodplain. More information on Elevation Certificates can be found on the Association of State Floodplain Managers’ website.
Westminster has elevation certificates on file for the following addresses. Please contact the floodplain managers listed on this webpage to receive a copy.
• 4040 W 68th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80030
• 4220 W 68th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80030
• 4675 W 99th Place, Westminster. CO 80031
• 7402 W Church Ranch Blvd. (Bldg #5), Westminster, CO 80021
• 11392 Quivas Way, Westminster, CO 80234
• 4250 W 68th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80030
• 4160 W 68th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80030
• 4130 W 68th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80030
• 4190 W 68th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80030
FEMA Flood Publications
Click a link below to access each publication:
1. Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347
2. Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program, F-084
3. Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA-54
4. Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards, FEMA P-85
5. Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage, FEMA-P-348