SB 24-179

Senate Bill 24-179, titled "Floodplain Management Program," requires local governments in Colorado to follow strict rules for building in flood-prone areas. These rules must be at least as stringent as those set by the federal government and align with state guidelines from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The bill also mandates that the State Architect's office create a statewide program by 2025 to ensure compliance, especially in areas where local governments don't participate in national flood insurance programs. This affects development on both state-owned and potentially leased properties in non-participating regions. The bill was signed into law by the governor and took effect on August 7, 2024.

Official Summary

Local government floodplain management regulations for development in floodplain areas must equal or exceed the federal emergency management agency's national flood insurance program's (national flood insurance program) minimum design and construction criteria and must comply with the Colorado water conservation board's (CWCB) rules and regulations for regulatory floodplains in Colorado. Not all local governments participate in the national flood insurance program. The act requires the office of the state architect, in coordination with the CWCB, to develop a state floodplain management program (program) by June 30, 2025, which will ensure compliance with the minimum floodplain management criteria of the national flood insurance program and with the CWCB's rules and regulations for regulatory floodplains in Colorado. The program applies to development on state-owned land in counties and municipalities that do not participate in the national flood insurance program. At the discretion of the office of the state architect, the program may also apply to state-leased properties in counties and municipalities that do not participate in the national flood insurance program. The act appropriates $49,383 from the general fund to the department of personnel for use by the office of the state architect. APPROVED by Governor June 6, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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