What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
Congress created the NFIP in 1968 with two goals: protect people from flooding and reduce future flood damage. The City of Lakewood has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program, which is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), since 1972. Through the NFIP, the city agrees to manage development in the floodplain, which is any land area susceptible to being inundated by floodwaters.
Both the city and residents benefit from this participation. The primary benefit for residents is the ability to purchase flood insurance, which most homeowner and renter insurance policies do not cover. To maintain these benefits, the city must adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that meet or exceed state and federal standards. The state of Colorado requires communities to adopt higher standards for floodplain management, which are outlined in Rules and Regulations for Regulatory Floodplains in Colorado (2 CCR 408-1) and became effective Jan. 14, 2022.
Where can I find the city’s floodplain regulations?
The National Flood Insurance Plan requires municipalities participating in the program to adopt floodplain regulations that meet state and federal standards. In Lakewood, these regulations are located in the Municipal Code, Chapter 14.25 – Floodplain Management.
Why are the floodplain regulations changing?
Updating the ordinance is essential because flood risk changes over time, mapping improves, and state and federal requirements evolve. These updates will adopt recently approved flood studies and floodplain map revisions, ensuring that the city uses the most accurate data available. It will also align Lakewood’s regulations with current Colorado Water Conservation Board and FEMA standards. Additionally, the update will clarify language, address common resident concerns, and remove unnecessary requirements to make the ordinance easier to understand and comply with. Overall, these updates strengthen community resilience, support responsible development, and help protect the safety and property of Lakewood residents.
My property is in the floodplain or floodway. What does that mean to me?
FEMA has determined that properties mapped as a "special flood hazard area" have a 1 percent annual chance of flooding. These areas are marked as Zone A, AE, or AH on FEMA maps. The city also works with Mile High Flood District to identify flood risks in Flood Hazard Area Delineation (FHAD) studies. The city uses both FEMA flood insurance rate maps and FHAD maps to regulate development. For property owners in the existing and newly mapped FEMA special flood hazard areas and FHAD floodplains, insurance companies might require flood insurance, and specific floodplain development standards will apply.
What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
Congress created the NFIP in 1968 with two goals: protect people from flooding and reduce future flood damage. The City of Lakewood has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program, which is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), since 1972. Through the NFIP, the city agrees to manage development in the floodplain, which is any land area susceptible to being inundated by floodwaters.
Both the city and residents benefit from this participation. The primary benefit for residents is the ability to purchase flood insurance, which most homeowner and renter insurance policies do not cover. To maintain these benefits, the city must adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that meet or exceed state and federal standards. The state of Colorado requires communities to adopt higher standards for floodplain management, which are outlined in Rules and Regulations for Regulatory Floodplains in Colorado (2 CCR 408-1) and became effective Jan. 14, 2022.
Where can I find the city’s floodplain regulations?
The National Flood Insurance Plan requires municipalities participating in the program to adopt floodplain regulations that meet state and federal standards. In Lakewood, these regulations are located in the Municipal Code, Chapter 14.25 – Floodplain Management.
Why are the floodplain regulations changing?
Updating the ordinance is essential because flood risk changes over time, mapping improves, and state and federal requirements evolve. These updates will adopt recently approved flood studies and floodplain map revisions, ensuring that the city uses the most accurate data available. It will also align Lakewood’s regulations with current Colorado Water Conservation Board and FEMA standards. Additionally, the update will clarify language, address common resident concerns, and remove unnecessary requirements to make the ordinance easier to understand and comply with. Overall, these updates strengthen community resilience, support responsible development, and help protect the safety and property of Lakewood residents.
My property is in the floodplain or floodway. What does that mean to me?
FEMA has determined that properties mapped as a "special flood hazard area" have a 1 percent annual chance of flooding. These areas are marked as Zone A, AE, or AH on FEMA maps. The city also works with Mile High Flood District to identify flood risks in Flood Hazard Area Delineation (FHAD) studies. The city uses both FEMA flood insurance rate maps and FHAD maps to regulate development. For property owners in the existing and newly mapped FEMA special flood hazard areas and FHAD floodplains, insurance companies might require flood insurance, and specific floodplain development standards will apply.
