FEMA Map Identifies Most Likely Nuclear Targets In Colorado

A national agency tasked with disaster preparedness produced a glimpse of potential target sites for nuclear strikes across the nation. Unfortunately, it doesn't look good for Colorado.

A quick count produces more than 25 Colorado locations designated by FEMA as likely targets of an attack by a foreign adversary.

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Colorado and It's Place On the Report From FEMA

On June 12, 2023, FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, published an updated document to "...reflect the reorganization of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Office to the Office of Emerging Threats." The updated document is the third edition of FEMA's "Planning Guidance for Response to a Nuclear Detonation"

The map published by FEMa and shared by Reddit shows potential US nuclear targets in 2,000 and 500 warhead scenarios.

According to the map's legend, targets in a 2,000 warhead scenario are designated by black dots. Targets in a 500 warhead scenario are designated by a purple triangle.

Map published by FEMA showing potential US nuclear targets in 2,000 and 500 warhead scenarios.
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What's The Difference?

According to CBS News Chicago:

• A 2,000-warhead attack assumes a first strike by the Russians
• A 500-warhead attack would be a retaliatory strike in the event the United States launched first, thus limiting the Russian arsenal

Read More: Experts Say This Colorado City Is Most at Risk During Nuclear War

A Closer Look at Colorado

Surprisingly, the majority of Colorado targets are located in portions of the state far and away from larger cities and urban areas. Granted, both Denver and Colorado Springs are shown as potential sites for 2,000 warheads. With one exception, though, The western half of Colorado shows no target sites.

What's Up With Northeastern Colorado?

You'll notice a large cluster of targets in the area of Weld County. What's up with that? Do enemy forces have something against cows and college students?

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According to a recent report from 9News, Colorado is designed to absorb a nuclear attack. The report states northern Colorado is part of the "nuclear sponge."

In March 2022, Dr. Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who served three presidents and was President Donald Trump's advisor on Russia, toured Denver area colleges. During a stop at the University of Denver, 9NEWS political reporter Marshall Zelinger was able to ask her about Colorado's threat level as part of the "nuclear sponge" post-Cold War.

Political reporter Marshall Zelinger: "Are we in Colorado the first attack if there is a nuclear war?"

Dr. Fiona Hill: "Well, it depends on what the nature of that is. Unfortunately, during the Cold War, yes, that was the case, back in the period in which there was a standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union. There are many places like Colorado with Air Force bases, with nuclear missiles, with radar stations which you have here, just outside of Denver. The point of contemplating this and thinking about it is not for people to feel scared and intimidated, but to inspect what's happening here."

Why Moffat County Colorado?

Looking at the map, you'll notice a singular target in Moffat County, in the upper northwest corner of Colorado.

A post on Wikipedia reports the largest power generation plant in Colorado and several coal mines were constructed near Craig, Colorado.

Living In Colorado

It's a bit disconcerting to see a large cluster of nuclear targets located in Northern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming, and western Nebraska. Looking at the map, you'll find the three largest groupings of targets can be found in some of the most rural portions of the United States. For those hoping to never experience nuclear war, it appears Idaho is the place to be.