Pitkin County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.