Colorado

1944 July 16th. Fire - Amusement Park: Denver, Elitch Gardens: Fire in the Old Mill Boat ride, which features a waterway ride through a dark tunnel exhibiting lighted scenes of fairytale characters. The 200 feet long building was constructed in 1914 and rebuilt in 1928; 6 people died due to smoke inhalation; according to the coroner's report the following factors contributed to the incident: aged facility, ignorance, neglect, and carelessness.

1961 July 11th. Plane Crash, Denver-Stapleton Airport: United Airlines DC-8, flight 859 with 129 people on board experienced an hydraulic failure during the flight; during an emergency landing at Stapleton airfield two tires blew out, forcing the plane to veer off the runway. It crashed into construction equipment and caught fire; Fire-fighting and rescue efforts were initiated by an understaffed and ill-equipped ARFF department, using vehicles from the 1940's. Calls for assistance from nearby Lowry USAF base and city fire companies were delayed.
Seven months before the crash an FAA inspector had ruled that the airport fire department was deficient in emergency equipment, particularly water capacity, rate of discharge for foam, etc.
Denver's city officials praised nevertheless the efforts of its fire department.
17 people died (16 passengers and 1 person on the ground), 84 were injured.

1976 July 31st. Flood Big Thompson River, Estes Park: flash flood caused by heavy rains destroyed 361 homes and 52 business; 139 people died and 88 were injured

1987 November 13th. Plane Crash, Denver-Stapleton Airport: Continental Airlines DC-9, flight 1713, crashed on take-off in a snowstorm; 28 people died, 82 were injured.