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Cherry Hills Village, Colorado Flood Zones

Last updated: March 2026

Cherry Hills Village faces flooding from Cherry Creek as it flows through the affluent south Denver suburb in Arapahoe County. The 1965 South Platte flood inundated areas along the creek, and intense Front Range thunderstorms continue to produce rapid runoff through the Cherry Creek corridor.

Arapahoe County has recorded 204 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $1.0M 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

927

Arapahoe County

Avg. Premium

$494/yr

Arapahoe County

FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Arapahoe 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 Moderate

Est. annual loss: $62.0M

Social Vulnerability: Very Low
Community Resilience: Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.

Federal Flood Disaster History: Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.

2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and TornadoesFlood
2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesFlood
2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationCoastal Storm
1973Heavy Rains, Snowmelt and FloodingFlood
1969Severe Storms & FloodingFlood

...and 1 earlier declaration since 1969.

These declarations affected communities across Arapahoe County, including Cherry Hills Village.

Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.

NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Arapahoe County

Properties in Arapahoe County have filed 204 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $5K.

Highest-Claim Years

2013

36 claims - $258K

2023

31 claims - $143K

2015

26 claims - $412K

Claims by Flood Zone

Zone X
156(avg. $4K)
Zone AE
25(avg. $13K)
Zone A
17(avg. $4K)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.

Active NFIP Policies: Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County currently has 927 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $494, totaling $458K in annual premiums.

Average Annual Premium

Arapahoe County$494
National Average$915

Policies by Flood Zone

Zone X
637(avg. $458/yr)
Zone AE
276(avg. $544/yr)
Zone AO
10(avg. $1,223/yr)
Zone A
4(avg. $1,028/yr)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Policies API. Data sourced March 2026.

Flood Insurance Coverage: Arapahoe County

An estimated 0.4% of households in Arapahoe County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.

Penetration Rate

0.4%

Claims Ratio

1 in 5

policies have filed a claim

Avg. Claim Payout

$5,083

Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.

Repetitive Loss Properties: Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County has 6 properties with multiple flood losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties.

Multiple Loss

6

Severe Rep. Loss

0

Mitigated

0

By Flood Zone

Zone X
6

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.

Recorded Flood Events: ARAPAHOE County

NOAA has recorded 44 flood events in ARAPAHOE County since 1996, causing $4.3M in damage and 2 deaths.

Costliest Events

12-SEP-13Flood$3.3M
24-JUL-18Flash Flood$500K
06-JUN-12Flash Flood$100K
12-MAY-23Flood$60K
21-JUN-23Flash Flood$50K

Events by Type

Flash Flood
36
Flood
8

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.

Flood Mitigation: Arapahoe County

FEMA has funded mitigation for 4 properties in Arapahoe County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction.

By Action Type

Other (Specify in Comments)
2
Safe Room/Wind Shelter
1
Acquisition
1

Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.

What Your Flood Zone Means in Cherry Hills Village

Cherry Hills Village 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 Cherry Hills Village are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $62.0M.

Riverine flood risk in Cherry Hills Village 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 Cherry Hills Village address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Cherry Hills Village

Cherry Hills Village 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 7

SFHA Premium Discount

15% off

CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Cherry Hills Village's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% 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.

Cherry Hills Village, CO Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Cherry Hills Village, CO?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Cherry Hills Village 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 Cherry Hills Village?

If your Cherry Hills Village 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 Cherry Hills Village?

Enter your Cherry Hills Village 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 Cherry Hills Village offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Cherry Hills Village participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.

Has Cherry Hills Village experienced major flooding events?

Arapahoe County, where Cherry Hills Village is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes in 2023. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.

How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Cherry Hills Village?

Arapahoe County has recorded 204 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2013, with 36 claims and $258K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Cherry Hills Village.

How many flood insurance policies are active in Cherry Hills Village?

Arapahoe County currently has 927 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $494. The most policies are in Zone X (637 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.

How many Cherry Hills Village properties have flooded repeatedly?

Arapahoe County has 6 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.

Can my Cherry Hills Village 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 Cherry Hills Village?

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 Cherry Hills Village'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.

Look Up Any Cherry Hills Village, CO Address

Enter a Cherry Hills Village, 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.