Some of the most beautiful developable lands in Colorado also pose significant risk from hazards, such as dense forests with a high risk of wildfire, river corridors subject to frequent flooding, or hillsides at risk of landslide or rockfall. Many people are drawn to build homes and businesses in these attractive places, despite the potential loss of life and property.
The challenge for Colorado’s local governments is to plan for appropriate development to occur while also protecting people and property from the impacts of hazards. Often the simplest way to ensure safer communities is to prohibit building in hazardous areas. However, stopping development altogether in high-risk areas is not always feasible, and planners and local officials must balance the protection of public health and safety with other important goals such as economic development and the provision of affordable workforce housing.
The sections below describe general approaches for mitigating hazards through land use planning and the general legal and regulatory framework for planning for hazards in Colorado.