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Flood 2013 Recovery Information

In September 2013, Larimer County experienced a substantial flooding event. This website contains resources and information related to long-term recovery of flood areas.

Right of Entry (ROE)

As the Larimer County community continues recovery efforts from the natural disasters of the last few years, private landowners are being asked to sign numerous documents. The documentation needs are driven by the nature and location of the project as well as the funding source. One of the most common documents is a Right of Entry (ROE).

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Flood and Hazard Preparedness Information from the American Red Cross

Flood protection: Sandbagging

Operation Sandbag – SERVE 6.8

SERVE 6.8, Red Cross and Larimer County are collaborating to provide filled sandbags to residents in Larimer County. As the snowpack in the mountains begins to melt we are committed to providing sandbags to residents in Larimer County.

Find out where and when sand bags will be available at www.serve68.org. To help fill the need of filling 30,000 bags this weekend, SERVE 6.8 is recruiting volunteers. There are 6 shifts available to help fill sand bags. Sign up

The Larimer County Public Works Division is transitioning from the flood rescue effort to the response and long-term recovery effort. Rebuilding the transportation infrastructure and establishing access (first temporary and then permanent) is the top priority. Information and updates will be posted here as they become available.

Reconstruction Updates

Current information

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

  • Public notice: CDOT requests permission to enter private property – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has begun emergency repairs on flood-damaged US 34, but in order to allow repairs to move forward, CDOT must obtain signed Permissions to Enter private property along the impacted corridors. Owners with property directly abutted to, or very close to the highway, are urged to please email your name, address and contact information to dot_icc_row@state.co.us to allow CDOT access. Alternatively, property owners can call (970) 350-2168 to leave a message that will be returned by a CDOT Right-of-Way representative. In the event property owners are not able to make contact with CDOT and provide a signed Permission to Enter, CDOT and/or its contractors and subcontractors may nevertheless need to enter private property to facilitate the emergency reconstruction efforts. In the event that CDOT enters upon private property, as soon as is reasonable and practical thereafter, CDOT will initiate its customary right-of-way acquisition process to ensure payment of just compensation as required by federal regulations, state statutes, and CDOT procedures. For further information on recovery efforts related to flooding, visit Colorado United or  Colorado Flood Related Projects. 
  • CDOT transportation summary map
  • Flood information hotline (live person): (720) 263-1589
  • dot_flood@state.co.us
  • www.facebook.com/coloradodot
  • Free CDOT email/alerts

Property Tax legislation for properties destroyed in the 2013 flood

In May of this year, the governor signed HB 1001 into law. The basics of this measure are that the county assessor will report to the county treasurer a list of structures or property that was determined to be destroyed (not just damaged). The county treasure then confirms the report and forwards it to the state treasurer. The state treasurer will issue a warrant to the county treasurer to either credit or refund the remaining tax liability for the property for the year it was destroyed. The property owner does not need to sign up or apply for this credit in any separate process.

For the 2013 flood the first report will be submitted to the Treasurer's office on July 1 and will be processed from there. That is the extent of the measure as we currently. We have not received any further direction from the state and are working to prepare the data based on the language in the final bill. View the bill language

May 2014: Update on flood impacted properties

The Assessor's office has worked to identify the impact of the 2013 flood as it relates to property assessments. For destroyed and severely damaged structures, adjustments were figured for the 2013 tax year. These adjustments were only for properties where the structure was destroyed or damaged to the point of demolition. These adjustments impacted the property tax bill that is payable in 2014 because property taxes are paid in arrears. Properties that saw less severe impact and those where the access to the property is still an issue are have been reviewed for the 2014 tax year. Impacted property owners were a notice of valuation on May 1, 2014. The values on our website were also be updated at that time. Protests may be filed through June 2, 2014. If you did not receive your notice of valuation, please review the full notice on our website. Protest forms are also available online or you may stop in our main office during the protest period. The Assessor staff will also be taking appeals in Estes Park on Wednesday, May 14 through Thursday, May 15 at the Estes Park Larimer County Building at 1601 Brodie Avenue Conference Room. Office hours there will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Printable version of flood damage report

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Insurance Info from United Policyholders: Flood Insurance and Homeowners Insurance

United Policyholders is a national non-profit consumer advocate group for insurance policyholders. United Policyholders assisted Larimer County residents with insurance issues following the High Park Fire. A homeowners policy covers falling and rain-driven water, so if the storm created any breaks in the house exterior—holes in the roof, broken windows, penetrated seals through which rain fell or through which wind drove rain inside—there is coverage through a homeowners policy. All flooding from rising water or river flooding is excluded unless a Flood Insurance Rider has been added to the policy by the homeowner. No exceptions.

For people who have no flood insurance but want to know if anything is covered in their home policy: Home policies should cover people's temporary living expenses due to being out of their homes under a mandatory evacuation order by a government entity. But that may require an argument to be made. Company adjusters may initially say no and state the damage relates to flooding so it's excluded. Homeowners can respond to this information and stress that the evacuation order is the triggering cause of their loss of use. This homeowners insurance coverage only lasts as long as the home is uninhabitable due to the evacuation order, and it will not include repair costs.

For those who have flood insurance and want a basic understanding of what's covered visit the United Policyholders flood claim page for Colorado residents. A video is included. There are several presentations on the video including one by a representative from the National Flood Insurance Program plus a flood insurance agent based in Denver. Flood policies have limited coverage (for example: basements are excluded), and there are lots of rules and conditions.

Or, use the "Ask an Expert" forum to register and post your question. Expect a reply within a week in most cases.

Flood survivors: Do you have unmet financial needs? The case management office of the Long-Term Recovery Group – Larimer County Floods (LTRG-LCF) is now open at the following location to assist you:

Long Term Recovery Group

Case Management Office
350 E 7th St, Suite 3
Loveland, CO 80537

  • Phone: (970) 461-2222
  • Hours: Monday – Friday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Email: LCFloods2013@gmail.com

Contact this office to arrange an appointment to discuss your situation and learn what resources are available to you.

How To Get Assistance

The Long-Term Recovery Fund is administered by Long-Term Recovery Group of Northern Colorado (LTRG-NoCo), which is made up of more than 50 nonprofit agencies, government organizations, faith-based groups and concerned citizens. The Fund will be used specifically for long-term recovery needs of Larimer County residents affected by the floods. United Way of Larimer County is serving as the fiscal agent for the Fund.

To be eligible for assistance, residents must have suffered losses in the September 2013 floods in Larimer County. Residents must meet with LTRG-LCF case managers, who will assess situations, identify resources, and refer residents to possible sources of assistance, including funds available from the LTRG-LCF. Learn more about the LTRG-LCF

Stay Connected

Follow Larimer County's Long Term Recovery Group on Facebook.

Federal Agency Resources

State Agency Resources

Big Thompson Conservation District Winter Weed Workshop and 2015 order information

Big Thompson Watershed Forum (BTWF)

Visit the BTWF website

Bioengineering for Bank Stabilization

Bioengineering for bank stabilization means incorporating living and dead trees into the materials used to build up eroded riverbanks as opposed to riprap, which is rocks. It's not just boulders, true riprap rock has a certain specific gravity and is quarried to have angles so it has more of a grip when pummeled by floodwater. But bioengineering is more resilient, and better for the riparian ecosystem.

Colorado Spirit Mountain Outreach Team

The Colorado Spirit Mountain Outreach Team serves Larimer County, going door-to-door to inform and support flood survivors about resources available in the community.