‘We Came Back to Mud-Filled Homes': Remembering Littleton’s Devastating 1965 Flood

Back in 1965, Colorado experienced all kinds of adverse weather, including one event on June 16 that caused so much devastation in the town of Littleton that it would be named The Hundred-Year Flood.

Littleton, Colorado, is Devastated by the Hundred-Year Flood

At roughly 1:30 p.m. on June 16, 1965, Douglas County, namely the Denver suburb of Littleton, would experience hard rain and a tornado that would cause Plum Creek to swell to such a degree that massive flooding would completely engulf the town.

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The flooding destroyed countless homes, businesses, roads, vehicles, and more.

As you'll see below, the massive flood caused a bridge to be completely washed out, cars can be seen floating from their parking spots, entire trailer homes can be seen floating away, and homes can be seen being absolutely destroyed.

Keep scrolling to check out vintage documentation of the Hundred-Year Flood that wreaked havoc on Littleton, Colorado, in 1965, as well as the aftermath.

Interestingly, some of the only people who were not forced to flee the area were those trapped at the Centennial racetrack. These people gathered in what were known as the nosebleed seats and were successfully able to stay dry.

However, the horses that raced at the track were unfortunately cut loose to fend for themselves.

When the townspeople returned to their homes, if they still had homes, they found them full of mud and were forced to remove it in wheelbarrows.

Read More: Colorado Dam Failure in 1933 Caused Massive + Deadly Flood

President Lyndon Johnson deployed the National Guard to assist, and residents would spend years rebuilding the town following this devastating event.