Montezuma County Disaster Risk
Montezuma County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
48th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#26
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
56th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% 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 10% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Montezuma County, Colorado
Montezuma County Sits Above U.S. Average Risk
Montezuma County's composite risk score of 47.61 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but notably above the national average, indicating meaningful natural disaster exposure. The county faces elevated threats across multiple hazard types, particularly wildfire and earthquake.
Mid-Range Risk Among Colorado Counties
Montezuma County's composite score of 47.61 slightly exceeds Colorado's state average of 40.67, ranking it in the higher-risk half of the state. This reflects the county's mountainous terrain, forest coverage, and position on active seismic zones.
Similar Risk Profile to Montrose County
Montezuma and neighboring Montrose County both score around 47-49 on the composite risk scale, sharing elevated wildfire (93.61 vs 78.56) and earthquake (61.86 vs 77.29) exposure. To the north, Ouray County's lower score (17.72) reflects its smaller size and different elevation patterns.
Wildfire and Earthquake Are Primary Threats
Wildfire risk dominates at 93.61, among Colorado's highest, while earthquake risk at 61.86 reflects the county's position near the Paradox Basin seismic zone. Flood risk (56.14) and tornado risk (10.05) present secondary but non-trivial concerns, especially in drainage valleys.
Comprehensive Coverage Essential Here
Montezuma County residents need both wildfire and earthquake insurance, as neither is typically covered by standard homeowners policies. Review your property's flood risk (56.14) through FEMA's flood maps; federal flood insurance may be required if you're in a high-risk zone.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Montezuma County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Montezuma County
Risk Verdict
At the 48th percentile nationally, Montezuma County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Residents of Montezuma County can use the 48th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Montezuma County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (56th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Montezuma County's primary hazard at the 94th percentile nationally. For Montezuma County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's earthquake exposure at the 62th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Montezuma County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Montezuma County falls 6.9 points above Colorado's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Montezuma County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Montezuma County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Montezuma County?
How does Montezuma County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Montezuma County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Montezuma County higher risk than average?
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.