Pitkin County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Pitkin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.1, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pitkin County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 54.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Pitkin County's expected losses come from avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 1.40 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.75 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $444K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $26M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pitkin County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Pitkin County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 2 for biological events and 1 for coastal storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Pitkin County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very High | 1.40 / yr | $11M |
| Landslide | High | 0.75 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $444K |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.89 / yr | $639K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.96 / yr | $13M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 54.34 / yr | $102K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $202K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4 |
| Drought | Very Low | 55.46 / yr | $11K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $49K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $18K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $33K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $1K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Pitkin County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Coastal Storm (1), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 1984 | Flood | Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pitkin County?
Pitkin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pitkin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very High, $11M EAL), Landslide (High, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $444K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pitkin County compare to other Colorado counties?
Pitkin County ranks #18 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pitkin County had?
FEMA records 6 federal disaster declarations for Pitkin County since 1977, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for coastal storm 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. Pitkin County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.