Weld County’s flood risk is concentrated along the South Platte River, which runs through the heart of the county from west to east, passing through Greeley, Evans, Fort Lupton, Gilcrest, and Platteville. The 2013 Front Range floods caused catastrophic damage to the South Platte corridor in Weld County, and FEMA subsequently updated its Flood Insurance Rate Maps to reflect the revised flood risk. In 2026, elevation certificates in Weld County run $400 to $700.
South Platte River Flood Zone
The South Platte River enters Weld County from the southwest near Platteville and runs northeast through the county. The river’s floodplain through Greeley and Evans is one of the more significant FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas on Colorado’s eastern plains. Properties along the South Platte River in Greeley, Evans, and south of Fort Lupton are among those most likely to fall in Zone AE flood zone designations.
The September 2013 floods hit the South Platte corridor in Weld County hard. The river ran well above flood stage for multiple days, damaging properties, roads, and infrastructure across Evans and Greeley. If you own a property near the South Platte in Weld County and your elevation certificate predates 2013, the FEMA map revision may have changed your flood zone status and affected your flood insurance requirements.
St. Vrain Creek at the Southern Edge
St. Vrain Creek enters Weld County near Longmont at the southern boundary of the county. The St. Vrain also flooded severely in 2013 and has updated FEMA designations. Properties in the Weld County portion of the Longmont area near St. Vrain Creek may also need elevation certificates.
What the Certificate Does
A licensed Professional Land Surveyor visits the property and uses GPS or optical survey equipment to measure the lowest floor elevation of the structure, referenced to NAVD 88. The surveyor compares this to the Base Flood Elevation from the current FEMA FIRM panel and completes FEMA Form 086-0-33. Your flood insurance provider uses the certificate to calculate your NFIP premium.
Flat terrain in most of Weld County makes field visits faster, which keeps costs at the lower end of the state range. Expect 1 to 2 hours for the field visit and 1 to 2 weeks for the completed certificate.
Finding a Surveyor in Weld County
To find an elevation certificate surveyor in Weld 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.