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

Pitkin County Disaster Risk

Pitkin County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

58th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pitkin County, Colorado

Pitkin County faces moderate risks

Pitkin County's composite risk score of 54.10 rates as "Relatively Low" but exceeds the national average, indicating elevated exposure to multiple natural hazards. The county experiences a notably different risk profile from most U.S. counties.

Above-average risk for Colorado

Pitkin County's score of 54.10 ranks above Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county faces greater natural disaster exposure than most neighboring Colorado regions.

Riskiest in its region

Pitkin County (54.10) faces significantly higher risk than nearby Rio Blanco County (37.60) and Routt County (33.37). The county's mountain location and terrain create exposure levels distinct from surrounding areas.

Wildfires and floods lead threats

Wildfire risk (76.59) and flood risk (58.17) dominate Pitkin County's hazard profile, both well above state averages. Earthquake risk (38.20) adds a secondary concern, while tornado risk (6.90) remains minimal.

Comprehensive coverage essentials

Pitkin County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance that covers wildfire and flood damage, including separate flood policies where needed. Consider defensible space maintenance around properties and evacuation planning as critical protections.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pitkin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pitkin County

Risk Verdict

At the 54th percentile nationally, Pitkin County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Pitkin County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Pitkin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Pitkin County's primary hazard at the 77th percentile nationally. For Pitkin 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. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 58th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Pitkin 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

Pitkin County falls 13.4 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 Pitkin 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 Pitkin County, CO?
Pitkin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th 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 Pitkin County?
Pitkin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (77th percentile), flooding (58th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 77th 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 Pitkin County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Pitkin County's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Pitkin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Pitkin County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Pitkin County's wildfire risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pitkin County is at the 58th 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 Pitkin County higher risk than average?
Pitkin County's composite risk score of 54th percentile is above the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (77th 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

Morgan County

Colorado

-2.2

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Delta County

Colorado

-2.8

Relatively Low

51th percentile

Chaffee County

Colorado

-3.0

Relatively Low

51th 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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