riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Broomfield County Disaster Risk

Broomfield County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Broomfield County, Colorado

Broomfield County enjoys below-average disaster risk

Broomfield County scores 34.70 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly below Colorado's state average (40.67) and well below national hazard exposure. This very low rating indicates minimal multi-hazard vulnerability compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Colorado's safest counties by composite measure

Broomfield's 34.70 score ranks it safely below the state average, making it one of Colorado's lower-risk counties despite its location in the metro Denver area. The county benefits from relatively flat terrain and lower exposure to certain mountain-based hazards.

Much safer than surrounding Front Range counties

Broomfield (34.70) sits dramatically below neighboring Adams (91.19) and Arapahoe (93.80), making it an outlier of safety within the metro Denver region. This favorable position reflects geography and development patterns that minimize several major hazard types.

Tornado and wildfire require the most attention

Tornado risk of 61.93 and wildfire exposure of 72.36 represent Broomfield's primary concerns, though both remain moderate compared to higher-risk counties. Flood (33.08) and earthquake (48.00) risks are well-managed in this relatively safe location.

Focused coverage addresses Broomfield's specific risks

Broomfield residents should prioritize tornado awareness and consider wildfire coverage given the 72.36 risk score, while flood and earthquake insurance can be evaluated based on individual property characteristics. This strategic approach provides cost-effective protection in a relatively low-risk county.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Broomfield County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    48th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Broomfield County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Broomfield County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 35th percentile. Broomfield County's solid 35th percentile ranking reflects aggregate hazard data, while localized events can still occur outside the statistical pattern; a basic preparedness review addresses both.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Broomfield County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (48th percentile), flood (33th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 72th percentile nationally for wildfire, Broomfield County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Broomfield County's secondary hazard, tornado at the 62th percentile nationally, indicates that post-fire landscape changes can elevate flood risk in watersheds — a compounding factor residents in burned areas should monitor. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Broomfield County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Broomfield County is 6.0 composite risk points below the Colorado state mean, meaning most other Colorado counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Broomfield County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Broomfield County, CO?
Broomfield County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Broomfield County?
Broomfield County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (72th percentile), tornado (62th percentile), earthquake (48th percentile), flooding (33th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 72th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Broomfield County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Broomfield County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Broomfield County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Broomfield County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Broomfield County's wildfire risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Broomfield County is at the 33th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Broomfield County a safe place to live?
Broomfield County's composite risk score of 35th percentile is below the Colorado state average of 41th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 72th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Archuleta County

Colorado

-0.2

Very Low

34th percentile

Routt County

Colorado

-1.3

Very Low

33th percentile

Elbert County

Colorado

+1.9

Very Low

37th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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