Erosion and deposition are occurring continually at varying rates all over Colorado. Point sources of erosion are common to construction sites or other areas where human interaction with the earth results in exposed soil or removal of vegetation, and natural waterways perpetually remove and carry soil from the earth to locations downstream.
About 50 percent of Colorado’s soil has a high or very high potential for shrinking and swelling. This, coupled with the fact that most of the homes, schools, public and commercial buildings, and roads in the state are located in areas of potentially swelling clay, means that expansive soils are one of the most significant, widespread, costly, and least publicized geologic hazards in Colorado.
Subsidence and collapsible soils tend to be problematic along the Front Range, Western Slope, and in the central mountains near Eagle County. Occurrences of subsiding and collapsing soils date back to Colorado’s early history throughout these locations.
Expansive soils are one of the most significant, widespread, costly, and least publicized geologic hazards in Colorado.
Applicable Planning Tools and Strategies
Addressing Hazards in Plans and Policies
- Comprehensive Plan
- Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Exploratory Scenario Planning
- Parks and Open Space Plan
- Pre-disaster Planning
- Resilience Planning
Strengthening Incentives
- Development Agreement
- Density Bonus
- Transfer of Development Rights
Protecting Sensitive Areas
- 1041 Regulations
- Cluster Subdivision
- Conservation Easement
- Land Acquisition
- Overlay Zoning
Improving Site Development Standards
- Stormwater Ordinance
- Site-specific Assessment
- Subdivision and Site Design Standards
- Use-specific Standards
Improving Buildings and Infrastructure
- Building Code
- Critical Infrastructure Protection
Enhancing Administration and Procedures
- Application Submittal Requirements
- Community Engagement
- Funding for Mitigation Strategies
- Post-disaster Building Moratorium