Risk

Jefferson County ranks number one in Colorado in terms of the number of homes in high and extreme wildfire risk areas, according to Verisk/ISO Stateline Report – with Evergreen and Conifer ranking among the highest risk areas. That’s higher than communities such as Sonoma County, Butte County or Shasta County – all of which saw major wildfire destruction in 2017-2018. The impact of a 100,000-acre wildfire in west Jefferson County could result in the evacuation of 60,000 people; the destruction of 10,000 homes and 100's of businesses; and an estimated minimum of $5 billion in losses. The county’s topography, dense conifer forests, dry weather and an abundance of lightning strikes drive wildfire risk.