Article I: Title and Purpose

By virtue of §§ 31-206(1) and (1)(k), and other sections of title 31, article 23, C.R.S., the Town has the power and authority to regulate develop and construction within floodplains, floodways, and flood risk zones.  In order to protect persons and property, and to promote the public safety and welfare, the Board of Trustees of the Town of Rangely, Colorado, does hereby adopt the following floodplains, floodways and flood risk zones management regulations:

(1) Areas of the Town of Rangely are subject to periodic inundation which can result in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, and extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, all of which adversely affect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public.

(2) Such flood losses are created in part by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas subject to flooding which cause an increase in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to other lands because they are inadequately elevated, floodproofed or otherwise protected from flood damage.

It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote public health, safety, and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:

1. Protect human life and health.
2. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects.
3. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the public.
4. Minimize prolonged business interruptions.
5. Minimize damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and other public facilities such as water, sewer and gas mains; electric and communications stations; and streets and bridges located in flood hazard areas.
6. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood-prone areas in such a manner as to minimize future flood blight areas.  
7. Insure that potential buyers are notified that property is located in a flood hazard area; and
8. Insure that those who occupy the flood hazard areas assume responsibility for their actions.

In order to accomplish its purposes, the Town shall use the following methods (which list is not intended to exclude other reasonable methods):

1. Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety or property in times of flood, or cause excessive increases in flood heights or velocities.
2. Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction.
3. Control the alteration of natural flood plains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which are involved in the accommodation of flood waters.
4. Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage; and
5. Prevent and/or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands.