Map of All 1,980 Colorado Dams
Colorado has 1,980 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 472 are classified as high hazard (24% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 37 Colorado dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Colorado dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Colorado to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Colorado Dams by the Numbers
- 1,980 total dams in Colorado
- 472 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 294 significant hazard
- 1,214 low hazard
- 119 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (3 poor, 116 unsatisfactory)
- 37 Colorado dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Colorado
The tallest dam in Colorado is Morrow Point Dam at 468 feet, completed in 1968. The 10 tallest Colorado dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morrow Point Dam | 468 ft | 1968 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Montrose |
| Ten Mile Pond #3 Dam | 416 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Summit |
| Blue Mesa Dam | 390 ft | 1966 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Gunnison |
| Gross | 350 ft | 1955 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Boulder |
| Ridgway Dam | 330 ft | 1987 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Ouray |
| Crystal Dam | 323 ft | 1977 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Montrose |
| Ruedi Dam | 322 ft | 1968 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Pitkin |
| Dillon | 310 ft | 1963 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Summit |
| Dillon | 310 ft | 1963 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Summit |
| Green Mountain Dam | 309 ft | 1943 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Summit |
High-Hazard Colorado Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 37 dams in Colorado. Notable examples:
- Sanchez (137 ft, Costilla County) — Irrigation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Narraguinnep – Main Dam (114 ft, Montezuma County) — Irrigation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Stillwater #1 (89 ft, Garfield County) — Irrigation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Miramonte (87 ft, San Miguel County) — Recreation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Spring Creek (76 ft, Gunnison County) — Recreation, Unsatisfactory condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Colorado
Dam safety in Colorado is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Colorado?
Colorado has 1,980 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 472 high hazard, 294 significant hazard, and 1,214 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Colorado?
The tallest dam in Colorado is Morrow Point Dam at 468 feet, completed in 1968. It is primarily a hydroelectric structure.
How many Colorado dams are in poor condition?
119 Colorado dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 37 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
