Table of Contents
- Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado
- Description
- Planning Framework
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
- Planning Tools and Strategies
- How Do I Apply Risk Assessment Results to Planning?
- Overview of Planning Tools and Strategies
- Addressing Hazards in Plans and Policies
- Strengthening Incentives
- Protecting Sensitive Areas
- Improving Site Development Standards
- Landscaping Ordinance
- Improving Buildings and Infrastructure
- Enhancing Administration and Procedures
- Models and Commentary
- Development Agreement Model and Commentary
- Density Bonus Model Code Language and Commentary
- Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) Model and Commentary
- 1041 Regulations Model and Commentary
- Cluster Subdivision Model and Commentary
- Overlay Zoning Model and Commentary
- Stream Buffers and Setbacks Model and Commentary
- Stormwater Ordinance Model and Commentary
- Subdivision and Site Design Standards Model and Commentary
- Use-Specific Standards Model and Commentary
- Application Submittal Requirements Model and Commentary
- Post-Disaster Building Moratorium Model and Commentary
- Fluvial Hazard Zone Overlay District
- Landscaping Ordinance Model and Commentary
- Site-Specific Hazard Assessment Model Code Language and Commentary
- Moving Forward
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Community Engagement
- Exploratory Scenario Planning
- Planning for Hazards Project Team
This section includes various resources related to the materials presented in this guide. The resources are divided into three main components:
- Technical assistance. Where should a community go to access technical assistance for basic planning and implementation tools?
- Funding sources. What types of funding are available to communities for implementing planning tools and strategies?
- Other guides and resources. What other sources of information exist, like this guide, that might offer additional insight?
Colorado Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
The Colorado Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan is the State’s FEMA-approved plan that serves as a foundation for the State’s program to reduce risks to people, property, and infrastructure from natural hazards. The Plan is administered and updated by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. dhsem.state.co.us/emergency-management/mitigation-recovery/mitigation/state-colorado-natural-hazards-mitigation-plan
Silver Jackets
Silver Jackets is a state-led interagency team that brings together multiple state, federal, and sometimes tribal and local agencies to learn from one another and apply their knowledge to reduce the risk of flooding and other natural disasters, and to enhance response and recovery efforts when such events do occur. The Colorado Water Conservation Board is the lead state agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District) is the lead federal partner. The Silver Jackets Team Charter for Colorado became official in March 2013. silverjackets.nfrmp.us
The Nature Conservancy – Private Lands Conservation
The Nature Conservancy works with landowners, communities, cooperatives and businesses to establish local groups that can protect land. Some of the main tools applied include land trusts, conservation easements, private reserves, and incentives. nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/colorado/index.htm
Colorado State Forest Service
A comprehensive resource for communities, practitioners, and homeowners on topics related to wildfire mitigation and forest health. This website includes links to funding assistance, Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal (CO-WRAP), and state-specific guidance on wildfire mitigation best practices. csfs.colostate.edu
Fire-Adapted Communities Learning Network
A national learning network of practitioners dedicated to community wildfire risk reduction and resilience, including related issues such as post-fire flooding. The program is administered by the Nature Conservancy and the Watershed Research and Training Center. The Fire-Adapted Communities website includes a blog oriented towards wildfire mitigation and outreach topics and other practitioner resources for fire-adapted communities, including a Fire-Adapted Community Self-Assessment Tool. facnetwork.org
National Disaster Preparedness Training Center
The National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) offers training and education programs at no cost to participating communities. The available courses cover a range of topics relevant to disaster mitigation planning in Colorado. NDPTC is a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, a FEMA/DHS training partner. ndptc.hawaii.edu
SHELDUS™
Developed by the Hazards & Vulnerability and Research Institute at the University of South Carolina, SHELDUS™ provides a county-level hazard loss data and map set for the U.S. for 18 different natural hazard events types and has been used by some Colorado communities in completing the risk assessments for their local or regional hazard mitigation plans. https://cemhs.asu.edu/sheldus/
Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire Program
Led by Headwaters Economics and Wildfire Planning International, this new program provides communities with increased capacity to address technical planning efforts. As part of this program, community examples provide additional examples of land use planning and regulatory strategies being implemented across the country. headwaterseconomics.org/topic/wildfire
Many of the land use planning tools and strategies detailed in this guide can be achieved with existing planning staff. However, some funding opportunities are available to support specific efforts. They are briefly described below. Please see the program website for details on grant amounts, scope, funding eligibility, and timeline.
General Land Use Planning
Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund
This fund administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs assists political subdivisions (municipalities, counties, school districts, special districts and other political subdivisions, and state agencies) that are socially and/or economically impacted by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, local government planning, as well as capital projects such as water and sewer improvements, road improvements, construction/improvements to recreation centers, senior centers and other public facilities, and fire protection buildings and equipment. colorado.gov/pacific/dola/energymineral-impact-assistance-fund-eiaf
Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)
Federal grant funds are provided following presidentially declared disasters to address unmet recovery needs for housing, infrastructure, planning, and economic development. Funds are provided by HUD and are subject to supplemental appropriations by Congress. Eligible activities include a broad range of planning and project activities. The program for the 2012-2013 declared disasters is administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. colorado.gov/pacific/dola/disaster-recovery
Economic Development Administration Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has established natural disaster mitigation and resiliency as a national strategic priority for investment. This particular program provides funds to assist with creating regional economic development plans and to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to undertake and promote effective economic development programs, including disaster resiliency plans. eda.gov/funding-opportunities
Natural Resources Grants and Assistance Database
The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) Natural Resources Grants and Assistance Database provides a comprehensive list of natural resource grants and assistance programs that promote the health and welfare of Colorado’s natural resources. This includes grant opportunities and programs for Colorado residents to implement fuels mitigation and education efforts with the goal of reducing their wildfire risk. The database is free to use. The database offers information on CSFS programs, as well as grant and assistance opportunities sponsored by federal, state, and private organizations for Colorado residents. nrdb.csfs.colostate.edu.
Hazard Mitigation Planning and Projects
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM), Mitigation and Recovery Section (MARS), administers all Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs. Eligible applicants must have a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to be eligible for HMA grant funds. The following is a brief description of eligible projects under the following programs.
Pre‐Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
This program provides funding on a nationally competitive basis for plans and for natural hazards mitigation projects. Eligible activities include Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, property acquisition and demolition, elevation or relocation, minor localized flood reduction projects (i.e., detention ponds, improved culverts, channel stabilization), structural retrofitting of existing buildings, infrastructure retrofits, construction of tornado safe rooms, and wildfire defensible space or fuels reduction projects.
Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program provides funding for flood risk reduction activities. Communities eligible for FMA funding must be participants in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Eligible activities include property acquisition and demolition, elevation or relocation, and minor localized flood reduction projects.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides Post‐Disaster Mitigation (PDM) funding in the event of a presidential disaster declaration. Potential activities funded through HMGP include all eligible PDM activities, in addition to post-disaster code enforcement activities. Contact a DHSEM Mitigation Specialist for more information:
dhsem.state.co.us/emergency-management/mitigation-recovery
dhsem.state.co.us/emergency-management/grant-programs
Public Assistance, Section 406
This is a federal discretionary grant program that provides funds to incorporate hazard mitigation measures into the repair, restoration, and replacement of facilities damaged by presidentially declared disasters. The program, administered by the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, awards funds from FEMA on a cost reimbursement basis. Eligible hazard mitigation measures must be identified and approved with an eligible Public Assistance (PA) project. dhsem.state.co.us/emergency-management/grant-programs/public-assistance-grant
Emergency Watershed Protection Program
This program, administered by the US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS), provides federal funds to relieve imminent hazards caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural occurrences. Eligibility is not limited to presidentially declared disasters and includes projects such as stream restoration, correcting damaged drainage facilities, establishing cover on critically eroding lands, repairing flood control structures, and the purchase of floodplain easements. nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp
Watershed Rehabilitation Program
This program, administered by the US Department of Agriculture, NRCS, provides funds to help rehabilitate aging dams that are reaching the end of their design lives to address critical public health and safety concerns. Eligible activities include the planning, design, and construction of entire projects. NRCS selects projects based on recent rehabilitation investments and the risks to lives and property if a dam failure would occur. nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/wr
Wildland-Urban Interface Community and Rural Fire Assistance
This program, administered by the US Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management), implements the National Fire Plan and assists communities at risk from catastrophic wildfire by providing assistance to develop local capacity and other activities related to assessment and mitigation planning, community and homeowner education, hazardous fuel reduction, local employment, and fire protection. These funds are available to states and local governments at risk as published in the Federal Register, Indian Tribes, public and private education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and rural fire departments serving a community with a population of 10,000 or less in the wildland-urban interface. federalgrantswire.com/wildland-urban-interface-community-and-rural-fire-assistance.html#.VkoEjWSrRhE
Parks and Open Space Planning
Great Outdoors Colorado Planning Grants
This Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant is designed to help eligible entities develop strategic master plans for outdoor parks and recreation projects, trails, or site-specific plans. Local governments are eligible to apply for Planning Grants. goco.org/grants/apply/planning
Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program
This Colorado Parks and Wildlife Program funds projects for large recreational trail grants, small recreational trail grants, trail planning, and trail support grants. cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/TrailsGrantsNM.aspx
Colorado Conservation Trust Fund
Forty percent of the net proceeds of the Colorado Lottery are distributed by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs through the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) to municipalities and counties and other eligible entities for parks, recreation, and open space purposes. CTF funds are distributed quarterly on a per capita basis. Funding can be used for the acquisition, development, and maintenance of new conservation sites or for capital improvements or maintenance for recreational purposes on any public site. colorado.gov/pacific/dola/conservation-trust-fund-ctf
Land Acquisition
The Conservation Fund: Conservation Acquisition
The Conservation Fund’s Conservation Acquisition Revolving Fund provides ready capital for acquisition of lands and waters of high conservation value. conservationfund.org/what-we-do/conservation-acquisition/our-revolving-fund
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program features two funding components: 1) a federal program that funds the purchase of land and water areas for conservation and recreation purposes through four federal land management agencies; and 2) a state-managed matching grant program provides funds for planning, developing and acquiring land and water areas for state and local parks, and recreation facilities. The current policy of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is to allocate the annual Colorado state-side LWCF apportionment to trail projects that come before the State Recreational Trails Committee as trail grant applications from eligible local government entities and projects sponsored by Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife. cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/TrailsLWCF.aspx
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
This program, administered by the US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps to restore, protect, and enhance enrolled wetlands. Enrollment options for wetland reserve easements include the purchase of permanent easements, 30-year easements, and other term easements for the maximum duration allowed under applicable state laws. nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/easements/acep/?cid=stelprdb1242695
Conservation Trust Fund
Administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, these state funds are distributed to Colorado municipalities, counties, and other eligible entities for parks, recreation, and open space purposes. colorado.gov/pacific/dola/conservation-trust-fund-ctf
Drought Planning
Water Efficiency Grant Program & Drought Mitigation Planning Grants
This Colorado Water Conservation Board Program provides financial assistance to communities, water providers, and eligible agencies for water conservation-related activities and projects. Eligible entities as well as state and local governments and agencies can receive funding to develop water conservation and drought plans, implement water conservation goals outlined in a water conservation plan, and educate the public about water conservation. cwcb.state.co.us/LoansGrants/water-efficiency-grants/Pages/main.aspx
Awarded through the program, Drought Mitigation Planning Grants are provided specifically to assist water providers or state and local governmental entities in developing drought mitigation and response plans. cwcb.state.co.us/LoansGrants/water-efficiency-grants/Pages/DroughtMitigationPlanningGrants.aspx
WaterSMART Drought Response Program
U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation's Drought Response Program supports a proactive approach to drought. It provides assistance to water users for drought contingency planning, including consideration of climate change information and to take actions that will build long-term resiliency to drought. Water users may include individual citizens, industry, and governments. Program areas include: contingency planning, resiliency projects, and emergency response actions. To be eligible, entities must be within a state or tribe that has a current declaration of drought or that has a drought plan on file with Congress. usbr.gov/drought
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program
This program provides funds to plan and implement authorized watershed project plans for the purpose of watershed protection, flood mitigation, soil erosion reduction, and sediment control among other activities. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NRCS. nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/wfpo
The American Planning Association Hazards Planning Center
The American Planning Association (APA) Hazards Planning Center offers written guides and webinars on hazard mitigation and recovery planning. Notable resources include written guides on integrating hazard mitigation into local planning, planning for wildfires, drought mitigation, and planning for disaster recovery. The Center also offers a quarterly webinar series on hazard mitigation planning. planning.org/nationalcenters/hazards
- Integrating Hazard Mitigation into Local Planning: planning.org/nationalcenters/hazards
- Planning for Wildfires: planning.org/research/wildfires
- Drought Mitigation: planning.org/research/drought
- Planning for Disaster Recovery: planning.org/research/postdisaster
- Quarterly webinar series: planning.org/nationalcenters/hazards/planninginformationexchange
Beyond the Basics: Best Practices in Local Mitigation Planning
Beyond the Basics is based on FEMA’s Local Mitigation Planning Handbook (2013) (fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/31598) and includes additional resources on hazard mitigation best practices. Beyond the Basics helps local communities to prepare or update their hazard mitigation plan. It was developed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. mitigationguide.org
Planning for Community Resilience
The Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center at Texas A&M University developed this handbook on the community resilience planning process, including methods for conducting local risk analysis, engaging with communities around risk reduction, and planning tools for nonstructural hazard mitigation and adaptation. It is available at a cost, here: islandpress.org/book/planning-for-community-resilience
The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit
The Climate Resilience Toolkit outlines a 5-step process for building resilience, tools for analyzing climate risk, and resources for taking action in local communities. toolkit.climate.gov. Developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Climate Explorer toolkit is an interactive site within the Toolkit that allows users to visualize current and historical data for risk analysis. toolkit.climate.gov/tools/climate-explorer
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Planning Resources
FEMA provides a variety of general resources for those engaged in hazard mitigation planning, including a series focused on integrating mitigation with related planning objectives. fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-planning-resources. One such resource is Integrating Hazard Mitigation into Local Planning: Case Studies and Tools for Community Officials which provides practical guidance on how to incorporate risk reduction strategies into existing local plans, policies, codes, and programs. fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/31372
Community Resilience Planning Guide for Buildings and Infrastructure Systems
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed this guide to provide a practical and flexible approach to help communities integrate resilience plans into their economic development, zoning, mitigation, and other local planning activities that impact buildings, public utilities and other infrastructure systems. The first version of the Guide was released in October 2015 and may be updated periodically as new best practices and research results become available. nist.gov/el/resilience/guide.cfm
No Adverse Impact Toolkit How-To Guides
The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) developed this series of how-to guides that identify tools for incorporating higher standards for floodplain management into local regulations, policies and programs. The guides are broken down by subject matter into compact, usable information communities can apply. floods.org/index.asp?menuID=460
Community Wildfire Safety Through Regulation – A best practices guide for planners and regulators
Developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this resource offers planners and public officials technical and legal justifications for adopting wildfire regulations. It also provides communities with tips on choosing the right planning tools and includes best practices used around the country.
Community Wildfire Safety Through Regulation - NFPA
General Plan Technical Advice Series: Fire Hazard Planning
A technical advisory published in 2015 by the State of California offers land use guidance on wildfire hazard planning requirements and planning mitigation tools. Much of this guidance could be considered best practice for others. This effort was completed by the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. opr.ca.gov/docs/Final_6.26.15.pdf