Does Wellshire flood?
Wellshire, Denver, CO · ZIP code 80210: the ZIP code on 15 of the 15 flood insurance claims counted here. ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines.
Yes. Insured properties in and around Wellshire have filed flood claims. About 15% of Wellshire’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. NFIP flood insurance records list 15 claims from the Census block groups that cover Wellshire, from 1979 through 2024. 3 of them received a payment, totaling $14,029 (not adjusted for inflation). The busiest years were 2023 (3 claims), 2008 (2 claims), 1998 (2 claims).
What this page counts as Wellshire
We could not find an openly licensed official boundary for Wellshire, so this page uses a census-based area. For this page, Wellshire means the 2010 Census block groups whose center lies within 1.6 km (1.0 miles) of the U.S. Geological Survey (GNIS) map point for Wellshire (feature 2117944) and inside the Denver city limits (U.S. Census Bureau), each block group going to the nearest of the places we cover. Every number below is for exactly those block groups (listed in “How these numbers were made”), so the edges are approximate and may include or leave out a few blocks people would call Wellshire. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names.
Past claims do not predict future flooding, and a neighborhood figure cannot tell you about one building. Look up the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and get flood insurance quotes before you sign a lease or a contract.
Check a specific address in Wellshire
Neighborhood figures are averages. Our address check looks up the FEMA flood zone and the Forest Service’s wildfire hazard potential at one address, from the same public maps: check if your address is in a flood zone.
Flood zones street by street in Wellshire
The named streets in Wellshire, longest first, with how much of each street’s length inside Wellshire lies in FEMA’s high-risk flood zones (the Special Flood Hazard Area, zones A and V). Length is the part inside Wellshire; the main zone is the FEMA zone covering most of that length. A street can cross several zones, so the zone at one address can differ from the street’s main zone: check the address above for that. 17 shorter streets are not listed.
| Street | Length | In high-risk zones | Main zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Iliff Ave | 1.7 mi | 7.7% | X (unshaded, minimal) (79%) |
| E Evans Ave | 1.6 mi | 4.9% | X (unshaded, minimal) (95%) |
| E Wesley Ave | 1.3 mi | 45% | X (unshaded, minimal) (52%) |
| S High St | 1.3 mi | 9.4% | X (unshaded, minimal) (89%) |
| S Williams St | 1.3 mi | 11% | X (unshaded, minimal) (88%) |
| S Gilpin St | 1.3 mi | 12% | X (unshaded, minimal) (74%) |
| E Yale Ave | 1.2 mi | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| E Vassar Ave | 1.2 mi | 7.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (92%) |
| E Warren Ave | 1.1 mi | 12% | X (unshaded, minimal) (88%) |
| S Race St | 1.0 mi | 7.5% | X (unshaded, minimal) (90%) |
| E Harvard Ave | 5,260 ft | 44% | X (unshaded, minimal) (53%) |
| S Vine St | 5,190 ft | 5.2% | X (unshaded, minimal) (94%) |
| S Franklin St | 5,060 ft | 17% | X (unshaded, minimal) (62%) |
| S Lafayette St | 4,650 ft | 29% | X (unshaded, minimal) (60%) |
| S Humboldt St | 4,650 ft | 19% | X (unshaded, minimal) (61%) |
| S University Blvd | 4,540 ft | 8.6% | X (unshaded, minimal) (90%) |
| S Gaylord St | 4,510 ft | 4.1% | X (unshaded, minimal) (95%) |
| S Downing St | 4,310 ft | 15% | X (unshaded, minimal) (76%) |
| S York St | 4,280 ft | 15% | X (unshaded, minimal) (85%) |
| S Sherman St | 4,000 ft | 65% | AO (65%) |
| S Lincoln St | 4,000 ft | 70% | AO (70%) |
| S Logan St | 3,480 ft | 12% | X (unshaded, minimal) (88%) |
| S Marion St | 3,380 ft | 32% | X (unshaded, minimal) (64%) |
| E Amherst Ave | 3,200 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
| S Grant St | 2,670 ft | 0.0% | X (unshaded, minimal) (100%) |
Streets: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, Transportation (primary, secondary and local roads). Flood zones: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels, retrieved November 4, 2026. Each street is clipped to the area boundary and measured in an equal-area projection. Street lengths are rounded.
Flood zones in Wellshire
Share of Wellshire’s mapped area (about 3.719 km²) in each FEMA flood zone, from FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels. Effective date of the FIRM panel(s) covering it (08001C0900H, 0800460211J, 0800460212H, 08005C0161K, 08005C0162K): March 5, 2007, December 17, 2010, July 3, 2024.
| FEMA zone | Share of area |
|---|---|
| X (unshaded, minimal) | 82% |
| AE | 9.4% |
| AO | 5.3% |
| X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) | 3.8% |
What the zones mean
- Zone AE (and A, AH, AO)
- High-risk: part of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the area FEMA maps as having a 1-percent chance of flooding in any given year (the “100-year” or base flood). AE areas have a mapped base flood elevation.
- Zone VE (and V)
- High-risk coastal areas, also in the SFHA, where the base flood is expected to bring additional hazards from storm waves.
- Zone X (shaded)
- Moderate hazard: between the limits of the 1-percent and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (“500-year”) flood.
- Zone X (unshaded)
- Minimal hazard: outside the SFHA and higher than the 0.2-percent-annual-chance flood elevation. Minimal is not zero: flood claims are filed from X zones too.
Source: FEMA Glossary: Flood Zones.
Flood insurance claims over time
Claims filed under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) from the 2010 Census block groups that cover Wellshire. This area is made of whole block groups, so every claim counted here comes from inside it. Only insured properties appear, so these counts understate total flooding.
By decade
| Decade | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1 | $0 |
| 1980s | 1 | $0 |
| 1990s | 4 | $11 |
| 2000s | 3 | $4,377 |
| 2010s | 2 | $9,642 |
| 2020s | 4 | $0 |
By year of loss
Named flood events with the most claims
FEMA labels some events only as “Flooding”. Claims by the flood zone the property was rated in:
- A/AE/AH/AO (high risk): 10
- X/B/C (moderate or minimal): 3
- Not reported: 2
How much is flood insurance in Wellshire?
The typical National Flood Insurance Program policy on single-family homes in Wellshire costs $887 a year: the median of 134 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $697 and $1,108. That is the full amount paid for the year, the premium plus FEMA’s fees and surcharges, and every one of these policies is priced under Risk Rating 2.0. A quote for one building can be far from this: its elevation, foundation, age, coverage and deductible all change the price. Private flood insurance is not included.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Policies - v3, computed November 4, 2026.
Why home insurance costs what it does in Wellshire
This section is educational and is not insurance advice.
Flood insurance
ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines. This is a ZIP code on at least 5% of the flood claims counted for Wellshire, within 10 km of it.
- ZIP code 80210: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $845 a year, the middle of 181 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $665 and $1,060. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0.
- ZIP code 80210: NFIP records list 30 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2024. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.
Fire and wind
- USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities gives Denver, CO a Risk to Homes national percentile rank of 0.654, which its methods call Medium (above the 40th percentile and below the 70th). That is the city rating, not a rating of Wellshire alone. The summary file is dated April 15, 2026.
What to ask your agent
- Ask the agent how old the roof is.
- Ask whether a wind-mitigation discount is available for this house.
- Ask how flood coverage differs from the homeowners policy. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood. Flood coverage is a separate policy.
- Ask whether the policy has a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible, and how that deductible is calculated.
- Ask when coverage would start. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase.
Flood coverage and the 30-day wait: FEMA fact sheet, Jan. 21, 2025; 44 CFR 61.11.
What do NFIP records show for flood insurance in Wellshire?
ZIP code 80210: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $845 a year, the middle of 181 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $665 and $1,060. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0. ZIP code 80210: NFIP records list 30 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2024. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.
What do public fire and wind records show for Wellshire?
USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities gives Denver, CO a Risk to Homes national percentile rank of 0.654, which its methods call Medium (above the 40th percentile and below the 70th). That is the city rating, not a rating of Wellshire alone. The summary file is dated April 15, 2026.
What should I ask an insurance agent about a home in Wellshire?
Ask the agent how old the roof is. Ask whether a wind-mitigation discount is available for this house. Ask how flood coverage differs from the homeowners policy. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood. Flood coverage is a separate policy. Ask whether the policy has a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible, and how that deductible is calculated. Ask when coverage would start. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase.
Sources: OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3; OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3; USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities, community summaries; Wildfire Risk to Communities methods.
Insurance agency or real estate agent? Sponsor this page.
Wildfire hazard potential in Wellshire
The USDA Forest Service’s 2023 Wildfire Hazard Potential map places about 4.5% of Wellshire’s mapped area in its High or Very High classes, and 93% in land it treats as non-burnable, such as most developed land (USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Hazard Potential 2023).
| Wildfire hazard potential class | Share of Wellshire |
|---|---|
| High | 4.5% |
| Moderate | 2.2% |
| Non-burnable | 93% |
Wildfire Hazard Potential is the Forest Service’s index of the relative potential for wildfire that would be difficult to contain, built from fire simulations, vegetation and fuels data, and the locations of past fires. On its own it is not a map of wildfire risk to a particular home, and it is not a forecast for any season. It is a national map at 270 m resolution, meant for comparing large landscapes; the Forest Service’s map service counts about 89 of its cells inside Wellshire. Embers can carry fire beyond the mapped classes (USDA Forest Service, Fire Modeling Institute: Wildfire Hazard Potential).
Wildfire hazard data: USDA Forest Service, Fire Modeling Institute (public domain under CC0). The Forest Service does not endorse this site.
Before you rent or buy in Wellshire
- Look up the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center; a neighborhood can mix high-risk and minimal-hazard zones.
- Ask the landlord or seller about past flooding and flood insurance claims at the property.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: new NFIP policies usually take 30 days to start (FloodSmart (NFIP): Buy a Flood Insurance Policy).
- Ask which floor the unit is on and where parking, storage and mechanical equipment sit.
Living in Wellshire
Flood maps are only one part of choosing a neighborhood. To compare Wellshire with other Denver neighborhoods on more than flooding, see Denver on StrollPlace.
Buyer and renter FAQ
Does Wellshire flood?
Yes. Insured properties in and around Wellshire have filed flood claims. About 15% of Wellshire’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. NFIP flood insurance records list 15 claims from the Census block groups that cover Wellshire, from 1979 through 2024. 3 of them received a payment, totaling $14,029 (not adjusted for inflation). The busiest years were 2023 (3 claims), 2008 (2 claims), 1998 (2 claims). Past claims do not predict future flooding, and conditions vary street by street, so check the specific address.
Is Wellshire in a flood zone?
About 15% of Wellshire’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. Shares by zone: X (unshaded, minimal) 82%; AE 9.4%; AO 5.3%; X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) 3.8%. The FIRM panel(s) covering it took effect March 5, 2007, December 17, 2010, July 3, 2024.
Which streets in Wellshire are in a high-risk flood zone?
Most of the length of S Sherman St and S Lincoln St lies in FEMA high-risk zones (the Special Flood Hazard Area). Less than 10% of E Iliff Ave, E Evans Ave, S High St, E Yale Ave, E Vassar Ave, S Race St, S Vine St and S University Blvd does. Zones can change along a street, so check the exact address.
What ZIP code is Wellshire in?
Wellshire is in Denver, CO. ZIP code 80210: the ZIP code on 15 of the 15 flood insurance claims counted here. ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines. Check the specific address for its own flood zone.
Do renters need flood insurance?
Standard renters policies usually do not cover flood. Renters in a community that participates in the NFIP can buy contents-only flood coverage, up to $100,000 for belongings.
How long does a new flood policy take to start?
A new NFIP policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase. Exceptions include no wait when the policy is bought while making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage, and a one-day wait in a newly designated high-risk zone within 12 months of the map change.
How much coverage can NFIP provide?
For a one-to-four family home, NFIP building coverage goes up to $250,000 and contents coverage up to $100,000. You can buy flood insurance even if you are not in a high-risk zone, as long as your community participates in the NFIP.
Is Wellshire in a wildfire hazard area?
The USDA Forest Service’s 2023 Wildfire Hazard Potential map places about 4.5% of Wellshire’s mapped area in its High or Very High classes and 93% in land it treats as non-burnable. It compares landscapes nationally; it is not a forecast and does not rate any home.
How much is flood insurance in Wellshire?
The typical NFIP flood insurance policy on single-family homes in Wellshire cost $887 a year: the median of 134 policies that started between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Half cost between $697 and $1,108. One building’s quote can be far from this; its elevation, foundation, age, coverage and deductible all change the price.
FAQ sources: FloodSmart (NFIP): Buy a Flood Insurance Policy; FEMA Fact Sheet: Think you don’t need flood insurance? Think again (Jan. 21, 2025); 44 CFR 61.11, Effective date and time of coverage.
Nearby neighborhoods
How these numbers were made
Area: the census-based definition above, using U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names. Flood zone shares: the area polygon intersected with FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels, area computed in an equal-area projection; retrieved November 4, 2026. Claims: OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3 records for Denver County (county code 08031), dataset as of September 8, 2026, retrieved November 4, 2026. Claims are counted for exactly the block groups that make up the area. Block groups used: 080310030023, 080310040062, 080310030042, 080310030043, 080310030041, 080310030022. Neighboring pages can share a block group, so their counts can overlap. Paid totals add building, contents and Increased Cost of Compliance payments and are not adjusted for inflation; a claim whose FEMA record shows a negative payment (an adjustment) counts as zero. Wildfire hazard potential: the 2023 classified map’s 270 m cells that the Forest Service image service counts inside the polygon, as a share per class. See the methodology.
Sources
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims - v3. Retrieved on November 4, 2026.
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels. Retrieved on November 4, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names.
- FEMA Glossary: Flood Zones.
- FloodSmart (NFIP): Buy a Flood Insurance Policy.
- FEMA Fact Sheet: Think you don’t need flood insurance? Think again (Jan. 21, 2025).
- 44 CFR 61.11, Effective date and time of coverage.
- OpenFEMA Terms and Conditions.
- Dillon, Gregory K. 2023. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), version 2023. 4th Edition. Updated 17 July 2024. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive (2023 classified map, 270 m resolution; read November 4, 2026).
- USDA Forest Service, Fire Modeling Institute: Wildfire Hazard Potential.
- FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Policies - v3.
- OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3.
- OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3.
- USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities, community summaries.
- Wildfire Risk to Communities methods.
- U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, Transportation (primary, secondary and local roads).
Data as of September 8, 2026 (FEMA claims) and November 4, 2026 (flood zones); hazard data computed November 4, 2026. Page last updated November 4, 2026.