Flood Insurance Rates Reduced for Residents in Unincorporated Boulder County

Boulder County, Colo. - Beginning Nov. 1, residents in unincorporated Boulder County will see reductions in flood insurance premiums. The discounts are a result of hard work by Boulder County staff to achieve an improved Community Rating System (CRS) score from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Any structures located in the 100-year floodplain of unincorporated Boulder County will receive a 25% discount and all other structures outside the 100-year floodplain will receive a 10% discount. Rate reductions will happen automatically as policies are renewed.

The CRS program recognizes community floodplain management activities that exceed minimum NFIP requirements for preparedness. There are already smaller discounts in place for unincorporated Boulder County structures which will be increased for greater savings to the residents. Structures in the 100-year regulatory floodplain currently receive a 15% discount and all other structures receive a 5% discount.

“The new CRS score will result in hundreds of dollars in savings for many Boulder County residents,” said Boulder County Commissioner Deb Gardner. “We are thrilled that Boulder County’s longstanding commitment to programs and policies that foster a resilient community are also recognized by the National Flood Insurance Program.”

Flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:

• Reduce flood damage to insurable property
• Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP
• Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management

Boulder County’s Floodplain Management Program, land use policies, Office of Emergency Management plans and extensive Parks and Open Space property, among many other activities, contribute to the county’s CRS score.

Since standard home owners’ insurance does not cover flooding, it is recommended that all residents consider purchasing flood insurance. All residents are eligible for flood insurance.

“These additional rate reductions will make it feasible for more Boulder County residents to purchase flood insurance, even if they don’t live in a regulated floodplain,” said Garry Sanfaçon, Boulder County’s Flood Recovery Manager. “We know from the 2013 Flood that flooding can occur outside of the county’s regulated floodplain and affect property owners that are not required to have flood insurance.”

For more information or to purchase flood insurance visit www.floodsmart.gov. To contact the Boulder County Floodplain Management Program, call the Boulder County Department of Transportation at 303-441-3900, or email at floodplainadmin@bouldercounty.org.