Canon City, Colorado Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Canon City sits along the Arkansas River as it exits the Royal Gorge in Fremont County. Spring snowmelt and summer thunderstorms drive high flows on the Arkansas, and narrow canyon topography upstream can amplify flood peaks reaching the city.
Fremont County has recorded 72 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $344K in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 8
NFIP Policies
240
Fremont County
Avg. Premium
$1,211/yr
Fremont County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Fremont County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $16.1M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Fremont County
Fremont County has been included in 4 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 2005.
These declarations affected communities across Fremont County, including Canon City.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Fremont County
Properties in Fremont County have filed 72 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $344K in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $5K.
Highest-Claim Years
1996
23 claims - $52K
1991
7 claims - $4K
2013
6 claims - $33K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Fremont County
An estimated 1% of households in Fremont County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
1%
Claims Ratio
1 in 3
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$4,778
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Recorded Flood Events: FREMONT County
NOAA has recorded 62 flood events in FREMONT County since 1996, causing $3.0M in damage and 2 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Fremont County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 7 properties in Fremont County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Canon City
Canon City faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Canon City are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $16.1M.
Riverine flood risk in Canon City is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Canon City address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Canon City
Canon City participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Canon City's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Canon City, CO Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Canon City, CO?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Canon City are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Canon City?
If your Canon City property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Canon City?
Enter your Canon City address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Canon City offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Canon City participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Canon City experienced major flooding events?
Fremont County, where Canon City is located, has been part of 4 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in 2015. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Canon City?
Fremont County has recorded 72 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $344K in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1996, with 23 claims and $52K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Canon City.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Canon City?
Fremont County currently has 240 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,211. The most policies are in Zone AE (140 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my Canon City property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Canon City?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Canon City's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Colorado Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Canon City, CO Address
Enter a Canon City, CO address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.