The city of Colorado Springs improved its score in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, which results in a reduction in flood insurance premiums for residents by 20 percent, NFIP officials said Thursday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recognized the city for its work in recent years to reduce the flood risk. The city improved its NFIP Community Rating System from a Class 7 to a Class 6, said Mathew Buddie NFIP specialist. The NFIP is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes communities that exceed the minimum requirements. Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. Points are awarded for engaging in public information, mapping and regulations flood damage reduction and flood preparation. The ratings affect insurance premium rates, which can be discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk.