Arapahoe County’s flood zones are concentrated along Cherry Creek and Toll Gate Creek, two waterways that run through significant residential and commercial areas in the county. Properties near these corridors may fall within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas and need an elevation certificate for flood insurance. In 2026, elevation certificates in Arapahoe County typically cost $450 to $750.
Arapahoe County’s Flood Zones
Cherry Creek runs through the eastern Denver area and into Arapahoe County, passing through portions of Greenwood Village, Centennial, and toward Littleton. The channelized sections of Cherry Creek have FEMA Zone AE designations along much of the corridor. Properties in the Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village area near the creek and properties in Centennial along the creek corridor are most likely to be affected.
Toll Gate Creek runs through Aurora, entering from the east and passing through the residential neighborhoods of eastern Aurora near Gun Club Road and the Tallyn’s Reach area. Storm events along Toll Gate Creek and the 2015 storms that affected parts of eastern Aurora contributed to updated flood map designations in this area.
Dry Creek and its tributaries in south Arapahoe County also have some flood zone coverage, particularly near Centennial and the commercial areas along C-470.
What the Certificate Documents
A licensed Professional Land Surveyor visits the property and measures the elevation of the structure’s lowest floor using GPS or optical survey equipment referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88). The surveyor also records the lowest adjacent grade next to the foundation. These measurements are entered on FEMA Form 086-0-33 along with the FIRM panel number and Base Flood Elevation for the property’s location.
Your flood insurance provider uses the completed certificate to calculate your NFIP premium. If your lowest floor is above the BFE, you may qualify for significantly lower rates. If your property is actually above the BFE, the certificate also supports a Letter of Map Amendment application to have FEMA formally remove your property from the flood zone, which can eliminate the federal flood insurance requirement entirely.
Cost, Timing, and Next Steps
Elevation certificates in Arapahoe County run $450 to $750 in 2026. Flat terrain and good road access keep costs lower than mountain or canyon properties. Field visits typically take 1 to 2 hours; the completed certificate is ready within 1 to 2 weeks.
To find an elevation certificate surveyor in Arapahoe County, browse our directory. Every surveyor listed is sourced from Colorado state licensing records. Only a licensed Colorado PLS can complete a FEMA-accepted elevation certificate.