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History

Major Milestones of Colorado’s Front Range watershed history

Take a look back at the history of Mile High Flood District, from its inception in 1969 as a response to the 1965 Platte River Flood, until present day.

1960s 
Flood aftermath with damaged cars and debris.

1965

The South Platte River flood of 1965 was Denver’s worst flood of record. It resulted in property losses of about $300 million in Denver alone and over $500 million in the South Platte Basin. Learn More.

 

 

A stylized house half-submerged in water with a shield adorned by a medical cross, indicating flood and healthcare protection.

1968

National Flood Insurance Act passes. This legislation led to the creation of the National Flood Insurance Program, providing availability to flood insurance and incentivizing best practices in floodplain management.

 

 

Black-and-white photo of a smiling man, likely historical.

1969

Senator Shoemaker introduces legislation in the Senate to form the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, it passes 26 to 7. It also passed the house, 49 to 14. The District began operation with two staff and funding of 1/10 mill.

1970s 
Aerial view of a suburban area with roads and houses.

1970

The District adopts regions first floodplain regulations, predating the National Flood Insurance Act.

 

 

Vintage cartoon of a couple reviewing a document; a sign mentions "Flood Control District".

1971

The District assumes responsibility for the Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual from DRCOG.

 

A black and white photo showing people in conversation, likely at a social or professional gathering.

 

1971

The District holds the first Syposium, a two-day event held at the Regency Rodeway Inn Denver with the theme “Urban Drainage in a Regional Context”.

 

 

Sketch of a mountain landscape with "MAJOR DRAINAGEWAY PLANNING SANDERSON GULCH / WEIR GULCH" text.

1972

The District’s first masterplans are published for Weir and Sanderson Gulch. City and County of Denver and the City of Lakewood were partners in these efforts. 

 

 

 

Black and white photo of a smiling man with blurred features.

 

1972

L. Scott Tucker was selected as Executive Director.

 

 

 

 

A neoclassical building with a dome, likely a capitol or government structure, under a clear blue sky.

 

1973

State legislature approved a District Mill levy increase from 1/10 to 5/10 mill (1/10 for Operations and Planning, 4/10 for Construction).

 

 

 

A flooded street with cars and buildings, water flowing over the pavement.

1973

The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 made the purchase of flood insurance mandatory for the protection of property located in Special Flood Hazard Areas

 

 

 

Flooded street with people in a dinghy and others wading through water, street signs and vehicles partially submerged.

 

1973

On May 6, record flooding occured along the South Platte River through Adams County making the 1965 flood the second largest event for that reach of river.

 

 

Rural landscape, people by a small water body, underpass, green sign in distance, overcast sky.

 

1974

The District starts a Floodplain Management Program in response to increased instances of damaging floods in the region.

 

 

 

People by a swollen river next to a road, possibly observing flood conditions.

1976 

Big Thompson Canyon Flash Flood occurs on July 31 during Colorado’s Centennial celebration causing massive damage totaling over $35 million and claiming over 140 lives.

 

 

 

Damaged road with erosion and standing water, surrounded by greenery.

 

1978

The District develops a first ever “Flood Disaster Plan” to define roles and responsibilities and tasks during and after a crisis.

 

 

 

A person with vintage computer equipment, including a monitor and control panel.

1979

The District starts the Flood Warning Program providing early warnings of potential and imminent treats to local governments. 

 

 

 

A stream flowing over rocks with greenery and a fence in the background.

1979

The District embarked upon the task of developing a maintenance program after a temporary 4/10 mill levy that would encompass only the “major” portions of some streams passes in the legislature. 

1980s 
Logo of The Greenway Foundation with a green and blue wave design, since 1974.

1980

The District receives a “Friends of the River” award from the Greenway foundation for its involvement in the redevelopment of the area.

 

 

Aerial view of a race track in a desert-like landscape.

1981

The Maintenance Eligibility Program (MEP) officially begins providing incentives for local governments to require District approval for development projects proposed near streams.

 

 

An excavator near water with a person standing close by, with urban background.

1987

The District requested and received a funding increase of 0.1 mill for a South Platte River program.

1990s 

1991

A sign that reads "TAXPAYERS VOTE HERE" with an American flag.
TABOR is adopted by the voters which freezes District revenues at inflation plus growth and effectively ends future additions to service area by the legislation.

1992

A partial view of a manual cover titled "STORM DRAINAGE CRITERIA MANUAL, volume 3 - best management practices."
The District releases Volume 3 of the criteria manual.

1995

Rural landscape with debris, possibly from a cleared lot or demolition, with trees in the background and overcast sky.
High snowmelt runoff flooding caused damages in excess of $20 million and claimed 15 lives, most damage occurred outside the district.

1996

A document header for Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, Denver, CO, with a partial view of a table or form.
The first District website goes live at MHFD.org.

1997

A man sitting by a dry canal with a bridge overhead and debris on the ground.
A deadly flash flood occurred in Fort Collins on July 28 prompting a federal disaster declaration. Significant flooding was noted as the “worst of the past decade.”

1999

Logo of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The District became the first FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner. This program creates partnerships between FEMA and state, regional, and local partners to keep flood hazard maps current and increase public awareness of risk.
2000s 
Wooden frame of a house under construction with clear blue sky in the background.

2003

It’s a busy time at the District as a 40-year low in mortgage rates is causing a rapid development expansion along the front range with the growth expected to continue for several years to come.

 

 

A map showing maintenance along Grange Hall Creek from Larson Dr., with a red outline indicating work area.

2003

The District begins using GIS for the routine maintenance program, moving away from the standard library of aerial images that were previously used.

 

 

Two men shaking hands near a microphone stand, sharing a friendly interaction.

2004

Dave Lloyd becomes Executive Director

 

 

 

A safety vest with pens and a badge reading "Drainage and Flood Control Division"

2006

Staff from two different groups merged to form the Design, Construction, and Maintenance Program.

 

 

A storm drain channeling turbulent water under a bridge.

 

2007

On May 14, a storm claimed the life of 2-year-old Jose Matthew Jauregui Jr., swept away from his mother by a fast rising Lakewood Gulch. Five years later the District and Denver finished removing the walled section of this reach. Learn More

 

A smiling man with short hair, wearing a jacket.

 

2008

Paul Hindman becomes Executive Director.

 

 

A tall bookshelf filled with numerous books.

2009

The District undertook the massive task of migrating the majority of the printed materials (OSPs, Masterplans, As-builts) to the website.

2010 
A flooded road with a collapsed section and two individuals observing the damage.

2013

September floods cause widespread damage to many areas of the District due to rainfall that exceeded the 500-year event in places.

 

 

People using a pump near a flooded area.

2013

After pitching the idea of a State-wide stormwater education program to CSU, the District secured a grant to help start the Colorado Stormwater Center.

Learn More

 

Map of Colorado's river basins with labeled regions and blue icons, likely signifying data points or locations.

 

2015

The District led a statewide charge in 2015 to successfully pass legislation that changed Colorado water law, declaring that stormwater detention facilities overseen by government entities do not materially injure water rights.

 

Close-up of a smiling, bald man with a suit.

2016

Ken Mackenzie becomes Executive Director.

 

 

 

A group of people smiling and sitting in a row against a wall with text.

2017

The District holds the first Stream Management Academy bringing a diverse group of professionals together to strengthen collaboration on watershed and stream projects. 

Watch Now

 

A map showing roads, rivers, and geographical features of an area.

 

2017

The Master Planning and Floodplain Programs are consolidated to form “Watershed Services”

 

 

A barren landscape with patches of snow, rocks, and distant buildings under a clear blue sky.

2017

The District creates a Development Services Enterprise, allowing land developers to voluntarily partner with the District to fund and implement stream improvements necessitated by their land development in lieu of going through the District’s traditional maintenance eligibility acceptance program.

 

A graphic with the text "VOTE YES 7G" and blue wavy lines below.

 

2018

Residents of the District pass 7G, a bill removing the District from the restrictions of TABOR. This will nearly double the annual budget over the next two years.

 

A color-coded map showing different regions or zones, possibly for weather, administrative, or planning purposes.

2018

The District restructures the organization by watersheds. This “Watershed Approach” increases the breadth of work for engineering staff and removes the silos of the previous programmatic structure.

 

 

A logo with the acronym "MHFD" and the words "Mile High Flood District" underneath.

2019

The District rebrands as “Mile High Flood District” and develops a new logo just in time for a 50th year celebration!

Aerial map view highlighting a creek area near residential streets, with a red outline indicating a specific region.

 

2019

MHFD creates a dedicated Property Acquisition Fund Reserve. This fund helps local governments purchase at-risk properties in the floodplain and return the land to the stream corridor.

2020s 
A virtual meeting with multiple participants waving.

2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the world in mid-March, MHFD closed the office and the staff of over 50 worked from home for the remainer of 2020 and into 2021.

 

 

A smiling woman with brown hair, wearing a checkered outfit, blurred background.

2022

Laura Kroeger becomes Executive Director.

 

 

 

A map with marked locations and numbers, possibly indicating areas of interest or data points.

2023

First launched MHFD Confluence, MHFD’s online data communications and management platform for local government Work Requests and development of the 2023 Work Plan.

 

 

Modern building, clear sky, lush greenery, and a paved pathway.

 

2023

MHFD moved into a newly renovated office building in a new location – 12575 Bayaud Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado