Denver County has active FEMA flood zones along two major waterways: the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. Properties in these flood zones may need an elevation certificate for flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or as a condition of a building permit in the floodplain. In 2026, elevation certificates in Denver County typically cost $500 to $850.
Denver’s Flood Zones
The South Platte River enters Denver from the southwest, runs through the Platte River Corridor recreational area, passes through the LoHi and Highland neighborhoods, and continues northeast through Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, and toward Adams County. The South Platte floodplain has FEMA Zone AE designations affecting properties close to the river channel.
Cherry Creek runs east-to-west through the Cherry Creek neighborhood before meeting the South Platte near Confluence Park in downtown. The Cherry Creek corridor through the Cherry Creek neighborhood has active flood zone designations. Properties in Cherry Creek, near Speer Boulevard, or along the creek path through south Denver may fall within the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Other Denver drainages with flood zone presence include Harvard Gulch (south Denver), Westerly Creek (eastern Denver), and Montclair Drain (near Park Hill). If you are purchasing a property in any of these areas, check the current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map to determine your designation.
What an Elevation Certificate Documents
A licensed Professional Land Surveyor visits the property and measures the elevation of the lowest floor of the structure, the lowest adjacent grade next to the foundation, and any attached garage floor. These measurements are recorded on FEMA Form 086-0-33 using the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) as the reference. The certificate compares your structure’s elevation to the Base Flood Elevation from the current FIRM panel for your property.
The difference between your lowest floor elevation and the BFE directly affects your NFIP flood insurance premium. A structure two feet above the BFE pays substantially less than a structure at or below the BFE.
Cost and Process in Denver
Expect to pay $500 to $850 for an elevation certificate in Denver County. Urban access is generally straightforward, but parking challenges and the need to access all sides of the structure can add time in dense neighborhoods. The field visit takes 1 to 2 hours; the certificate is typically delivered within 1 to 2 weeks.
Denver Community Planning and Development manages floodplain permit requirements within the city. If you are applying for a building permit for work in a flood zone, the city may require the elevation certificate before issuing the permit.
Finding a Surveyor in Denver County
To find an elevation certificate surveyor in Denver County, browse our directory. Every surveyor listed is sourced from Colorado state licensing records. Only a licensed Colorado Professional Land Surveyor can complete a FEMA-accepted elevation certificate.