Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 81520

Natural Hazard Profile: ZIP 81520, Colorado

Located in the Great Plains, ZIP 81520 serves the Clifton community. The semi-arid continental climate of this part of Colorado — bringing dry air, significant mountain snowfall, and rapid weather changes — directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.

ZIP 81520's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.3/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. Secondary hazards include avalanche and lightning.

Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 81520's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.2/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and avalanche, as measured by FEMA across Colorado. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, ZIP 81520 residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.