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About Hazard Mitigation

Disasters cannot always be prevented, but their impacts can be reduced. Hazard mitigation focuses on long-term solutions that strengthen homes, infrastructure, and natural systems before the next event occurs.

Here you’ll find the County’s mitigation goals, the hazards being evaluated, and examples of projects that help build resilience, along with ways to suggest additional actions.

Circular infographic titled “What is a Mitigation Plan?” with six colored segments surrounding the center. Each segment includes an icon and a short description: Top-left segment (teal, people talking icon): “Aligns risk reduction with public activities and decision-making.” Top-right segment (green, documents icon): “A community-driven, living document.” Right segment (blue, money icon): “Identifies cost-effective action for risk reduction.” Bottom-right segment (green, flooded house icon): “Focuses resources on the greatest risk.” Bottom-left segment (orange, handshake icon): “Promotes partnership building.” Left segment (brown, megaphone with people icon): “Increases awareness of hazards and risks.”

 

Boulder County's overall project goals:

 

  • To Obtain FEMA Approval
  • To Define an Equitable Mitigation Strategy
  • To Develop an Implementable & Integrated Plan

Hazards Being Profiled

The following hazards are being assessed as part of this plan update

Venn diagram with two overlapping circles illustrating risk. Top circle (green) labeled “ALL HAZARDS” lists: Location Extent (Magnitude/Severity) Previous Occurrences Future Probability Bottom circle (brown) labeled “COMMUNITY ASSETS” lists: Natural Environment Built Environment Population Economy The overlapping center area (olive green, dashed outline) is labeled “RISK,” showing that risk results from the interaction between hazards and community assets.

  • Dam / Levee Incident
  • Drought
  • Earthquake
  • Extreme Heat
  • Flood
  • Geologic Ground Hazards:  Deposition, Erosion, Expansive Soils & Ground Subsidence
  • Hail
  • Lightning
  • Mass Earth Movements: Avalanches, Debris Flows, Landslides, & Rockfalls
  • Severe Wind / Tornado
  • Severe Winter Weather
  • Wildfire

Mitigation Actions

What is a mitigation action?

A hazard mitigation action is a long-term action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from the effects of hazards. There are four types of mitigation projects: Structure and Infrastructure, Plans and Regulations, Education and Awareness, and Natural Systems Protection. 

Local Plans and Regulations

Collage of four planning documents related to Boulder County hazard mitigation, including the Envision Longmont comprehensive plan, a Boulder County wildfire map, Louisville subdivision regulations, and the Boulder County building code amendments cover.

 

 

Policies, plans, and regulatory measures adopted by local governments to guide development away from high-risk areas and ensure long-term reduction of hazard exposure.

Example: The Boulder County building code regulates how buildings are built. The Envision Longmont Comprehensive Plan guides future development to happen away from flood-prone areas of the city. 

Structure and Infrastructure

Road crossing over a drainage culvert, with a small stream flowing beneath the roadway beside a fenced rural roadside and autumn trees.

 

 

 

Physical improvements or construction activities that strengthen, elevate, retrofit, or protect buildings and critical infrastructure to reduce damage from natural hazards.

Example: This culvert was "upsized" or made larger to allow for more floodwater to flow through and not disrupt the road above. 

 

Education and Awareness

Sign reading “Wildfire Partners Certified 2015” posted in pine needles, with icons representing wildfire safety, home protection, neighborhood cooperation, and forested surroundings.

 

 

Initiatives that inform and engage the public, decision-makers, and stakeholders about hazards and mitigation strategies to encourage safer behaviors and risk-informed choices.

Example: Programs like Wildfire Partners provide the public with information about wildfires and empower them to prepare for and mitigate wildfires on their property. 

Natural Systems Protection

Actions that conserve, restore, or enhance natural features to reduce hazard impacts while providing environmental and community co-benefits, such as flood attenuation and erosion control.

Example: These images from Boulder County Parks and Open Space shows the work completed to restore the St. Vrain Creek riparian corridor following the 2013 Flood. This project improves the natural habitat by directing excess stream flow into the natural areas and away from infrastructure. This project helps recover from the 2013 Flood and mitigates future flood impacts, preventing similar disasters. Find out more about the St. Vrain Creek riparian corridor restoration projectSide-by-side before-and-after photos of a creek corridor restoration, showing a barren, rocky channel before and a green, vegetated stream area after.