Montezuma County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Montezuma County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.6, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.01 / yr | $74K |
| Avalanche | High | 0.40 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 57.91 / yr | $817K |
| Drought | Medium | 86.31 / yr | $495K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $415K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.26 / yr | $72K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.04 / yr | $394K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $84K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $54K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $53K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $44K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Montezuma County?
Montezuma County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montezuma County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $74K EAL), Avalanche (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montezuma County compare to other Colorado counties?
Montezuma County ranks #26 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Montezuma County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.