National Weather ServiceColoradoRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in Colorado
The National Weather Service issued 129 red flag warnings for Colorado in 2025 and 124 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 2nd most of any state. 2026 through September: 210, 100% above the average of 105 for those months in 2008-2025. Huerfano County (including Walsenburg) was covered most often (586 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does Colorado get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of Colorado. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 210 |
| 2025 | 129 |
| 2024 | 116 |
| 2023 | 114 |
| 2022 | 191 |
| 2021 | 146 |
| 2020 | 208 |
| 2019 | 84 |
| 2018 | 160 |
| 2017 | 116 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2015 | 66 |
| 2014 | 83 |
| 2013 | 98 |
| 2012 | 178 |
| 2011 | 166 |
| 2010 | 112 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2008 | 103 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Colorado get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Colorado?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huerfano County (including Walsenburg) | 586 | 148 | July 3, 2026 |
| Western Las Animas County (including Trinidad and Thatcher) | 585 | 141 | July 3, 2026 |
| Pueblo County (including Pueblo) | 527 | 127 | August 7, 2026 |
| Eastern Las Animas County (including Pinon Canyon) | 519 | 109 | July 1, 2026 |
| Southern El Paso County (including Fort Carson and Colorado Springs) | 492 | 100 | July 3, 2026 |
| San Luis Valley (including Alamosa/Del Norte/Fort Garland/Saguache) | 445 | 111 | July 3, 2026 |
| Baca County (including Springfield and Eastern Comanche Grasslands) | 439 | 93 | June 29, 2026 |
| Fremont County (including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek) | 429 | 88 | August 7, 2026 |
| Otero County (including La Junta and Western Comanche Grasslands) | 415 | 88 | June 30, 2026 |
| Kit Carson County | 394 | 71 | June 10, 2026 |
| Crowley County (including Ordway) | 393 | 83 | June 30, 2026 |
| Cheyenne | 390 | 75 | June 10, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest red flag warnings for Colorado in AreaZine's record
NWS PuebloWarningAugust 6, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Fremont County Including Canon City/Howard/Texas Creek and Pueblo County Including Pueblo, CO
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, August 7, 2026
NWS Grand JunctionWarningAugust 5, 2026
Red Flag Warning: North Fork and Gunnison Basin, CO
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, August 6, 2026
NWS PuebloWarningAugust 5, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Eastern San Juan Mountains and La Garita Mountains Including Wolf Creek Pass and Creede, CO
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, August 6, 2026
NWS PuebloWarningAugust 4, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Upper Arkansas River Valley Including Lake County and Chaffee County, CO
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, August 5, 2026
NWS DenverWarningAugust 4, 2026
Red Flag Warning: South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above 9000 Feet, Central and Southeast Park County, West Jackson a
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, August 5, 2026
NWS Grand JunctionWarningAugust 4, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Gunnison Basin, CO
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, August 5, 2026
NWS Grand JunctionWarningAugust 3, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, CO
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, August 4, 2026
NWS DenverWarningAugust 3, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Jackson County Below 9000 Feet and Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet, CO and WY
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, August 4, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Colorado.