Archuleta County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Archuleta County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.5, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Archuleta County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 34.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 0.79 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $72K in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Archuleta County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Archuleta County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 2 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Oak Fire (fire), declared in August 2025.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Archuleta County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $47K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.37 / yr | $72K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 34.90 / yr | $86K |
| Lightning | Medium | 71.13 / yr | $256K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $171K |
| Drought | Very Low | 76.17 / yr | $21K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $45K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $22K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $5K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Archuleta County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Oak Fire in August 2025. Most frequent causes: Fire (2), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | Fire | Oak Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| July 1973 | Flood | Flooding & Landslides |
| September 1970 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Archuleta County?
Archuleta County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Archuleta County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $47K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $72K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Archuleta County compare to other Colorado counties?
Archuleta County ranks #36 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Archuleta County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Archuleta County since 1970, most often 2 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Oak Fire, declared in August 2025.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Archuleta County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.