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

Conejos County Disaster Risk

Conejos County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

34th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Conejos County, Colorado

Conejos County remains well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 22.93, Conejos ranks in the very low category, significantly safer than the typical American county. The southern Colorado county's exposure to natural hazards is minimal.

Lower than Colorado's state average

Conejos scores 22.93 compared to Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it in the safer half of the state's 64 counties. It ranks among the lowest-risk counties statewide.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Conejos (22.93) is significantly safer than Chaffee to the north (51.11) and Costilla to the west (6.55), offering relatively stable risk exposure. Its earthquake risk of 46.53 is notably higher than in adjacent counties, though still modest.

Earthquake and wildfire pose modest risks

Conejos's earthquake risk of 46.53 is its highest measured hazard, while wildfire risk is moderate at 58.33. Flood and tornado risks remain low, both under 34.

Standard coverage with earthquake consideration

A standard homeowners policy will cover most exposures, but consider earthquake insurance given your county's 46.53 score—it's affordable and not included in standard policies. Review your home's foundation and secure heavy furniture as low-cost earthquake preparedness.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Conejos County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    47th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    34th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Conejos County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Conejos County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 23th percentile. Conejos County residents can take confidence from a 23th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Conejos County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 47th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (34th percentile), tornado (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 58th percentile nationally for wildfire, Conejos 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 47th percentile nationally means Conejos County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Conejos County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Conejos County is 17.7 composite risk points below the Colorado state mean, meaning most other Colorado counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Conejos 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 Conejos County, CO?
Conejos County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Conejos County?
Conejos County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (58th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile), flooding (34th percentile), tornado (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 58th 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 Conejos County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Conejos County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Conejos County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Conejos County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Conejos County's wildfire risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Conejos County is at the 34th 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 Conejos County a safe place to live?
Conejos County's composite risk score of 23th 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 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.