Manitou Springs, Colorado Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Manitou Springs is nestled at the base of Pikes Peak in El Paso County where Fountain Creek and Ruxton Creek converge through narrow canyon terrain. Intense thunderstorms and wildfire burn scars on surrounding slopes produce dangerous flash floods that funnel through the historic downtown.
El Paso County has recorded 855 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $6.0M 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
1,653
El Paso County
Avg. Premium
$996/yr
El Paso County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: El Paso 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 HighEst. annual loss: $105.2M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: El Paso County
El Paso County has been included in 8 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 1969.
These declarations affected communities across El Paso County, including Manitou Springs.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: El Paso County
Properties in El Paso County have filed 855 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $6.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $7K.
Highest-Claim Years
2013
207 claims - $3.7M
2015
139 claims - $894K
1999
104 claims - $159K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: El Paso County
An estimated 0.6% of households in El Paso County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
0.6%
Claims Ratio
1 in 2
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$6,986
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: El Paso County
El Paso County has 25 properties with multiple flood losses, including 1 severe repetitive loss properties.
Multiple Loss
25
Severe Rep. Loss
1
Mitigated
0
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: EL PASO County
NOAA has recorded 201 flood events in EL PASO County since 1996, causing $57.0M in damage and 6 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: El Paso County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 140 properties in El Paso County, investing $6.8M in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs 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 Manitou Springs are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $105.2M.
Riverine flood risk in Manitou Springs 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 Manitou Springs address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs 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). Manitou Springs'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.
Manitou Springs, CO Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Manitou Springs, CO?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Manitou Springs 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 Manitou Springs?
If your Manitou Springs 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 Manitou Springs?
Enter your Manitou Springs 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 Manitou Springs offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Manitou Springs 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 Manitou Springs experienced major flooding events?
El Paso County, where Manitou Springs is located, has been part of 8 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 Manitou Springs?
El Paso County has recorded 855 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $6.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2013, with 207 claims and $3.7M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Manitou Springs.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Manitou Springs?
El Paso County currently has 1,653 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $996. The most policies are in Zone X (946 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Manitou Springs properties have flooded repeatedly?
El Paso County has 25 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 1 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 Manitou Springs 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 Manitou Springs?
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 Manitou Springs'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 Manitou Springs, CO Address
Enter a Manitou Springs, 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.