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

Fremont County Disaster Risk

Fremont County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

69th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fremont County, Colorado

Fremont County carries moderate disaster risk

Fremont County scores 68.58 on composite disaster risk, rated Relatively Low—above Colorado's state average of 40.67 but lower than the highest-risk counties. The score reflects mountain terrain hazards and moderate population exposure.

Mid-tier risk profile in Colorado

Fremont ranks in Colorado's moderate-risk zone, safer than Front Range counties but more exposed than the state's lowest-risk areas. The county's south-central location and elevation create specific wildfire and flood vulnerabilities.

Riskier than some mountain counties

Fremont's score of 68.58 exceeds Garfield (64.54) slightly but falls below Eagle (76.24). It is substantially safer than Front Range neighbors Douglas and El Paso.

Wildfire and flood pose twin threats

Fremont residents face wildfire risk of 94.18 and flood risk of 80.22, both significant in this mountainous county. Tornado and earthquake risks are much lower at 31.17 and 41.22 respectively.

Prioritize water and wildfire coverage

Fremont County homeowners should secure flood insurance for canyon-floor and creek-adjacent properties and maintain defensible space against wildfire. Ensure your standard policy covers wind and hail damage from severe storms.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fremont County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    80th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    41th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Fremont County

Risk Verdict

Fremont County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Fremont County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Fremont County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (41th percentile), tornado (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Fremont County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 94th percentile nationally. Fremont County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 80th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Fremont County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

Fremont County's composite risk score sits 27.9 points above the Colorado county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Fremont 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 Fremont County, CO?
Fremont County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 69th 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 Fremont County?
Fremont County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (94th percentile), flooding (80th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), tornado (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 94th 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 Fremont County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Fremont County's composite risk percentile is 69th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Fremont County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Fremont County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Fremont County's wildfire risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Fremont County is at the 80th 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.
Why is Fremont County higher risk than average?
Fremont County's composite risk score of 69th percentile is above the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (94th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Garfield County

Colorado

-4.0

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Mesa County

Colorado

+6.6

Relatively Low

75th percentile

La Plata County

Colorado

+6.6

Relatively Low

75th 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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