Park County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Park County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.2, 22th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Park County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 22.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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 — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $161K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $131K in expected annual loss and about 0.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Park County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Park County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 5 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Park County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $161K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.40 / yr | $131K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.14 / yr | $914K |
| Lightning | Medium | 65.66 / yr | $641K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.32 / yr | $79K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $106K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $310K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $163K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 39.35 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Park County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| June 2008 | Fire | Nash Ranch Fire |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 2003 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| May 2002 | Fire | Black Mountain Fire |
| April 2002 | Fire | Co - Snaking Fire - 4/23/2002 |
| June 2000 | Fire | High Meadows Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Park County?
Park County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Park County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $161K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $131K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Park County compare to other Colorado counties?
Park County ranks #43 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Park County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Park County since 1969, most often 5 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Park County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.