Boulder Begins Inspecting Homes For Hazards From Flooding

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - CBS4's Shaun Boyd got a firsthand look at how the city of Boulder is keeping track of all the flood damage on Monday.

Debris is piling up across the city. Crews had to close many flood debris drop-off sites for the city and county because they became a hazard after so much debris piled up at the sites.

City workers on Monday began inspecting homes for hazards, ranging from structural damage to broken gas lines to determine which homes are safe to live in. The city developed a color-coded placard system. Green means residents can to move back in. Yellow means there are problems and they have restricted access. Red means people need to stay out.

"Essentially we have 22 building inspectors who are touring 11 geographic areas of the city," Sarah Huntley with the City of Boulder said. "These are areas that are in our hazard 100-year flood plain. So they're areas we think are most likely to have sustained damage … we know people want to be in the comfort of their homes, but it's important to the city to make sure that homes are safe."

In an effort to speed up repairs the city is offering same-day permits and waiving all fees. Those who need to replace dry wall and carpeting don't need a permit. For those still cleaning up, Western Disposal is still accepting flood debris at its older facility for no charge.

Colorado Floods: How To Help

The recent floods are impacting families and communities throughout Colorado, so CBS4 has compiled a list of ways you can support the local communities impacted by the floods.