Disaster risk management is a social process; therefore, the whole community must be included in it. The objective of the study was to analyze the perceptions of disaster risk in the inhabitants of the municipality of Pijao (Quindio). A qualitative approach was followed from the design of the grounded theory. A non‑probabilistic sampling was carried out in the neighborhoods adjacent to the course of the Lejos River in the municipality of Pijao (Quindio, Colombia). The sample was composed of a total of 60 subjects. The substantive theory resulting from the research is the naturalization of disaster risk management. It is considered that the naturalization of actions for disaster risk mitigation is made possible by the level of knowledge of risk management concepts and actions, in addition to the level of cultural rootedness. The study provided first-hand knowledge of which elements level should be worked on in the community to strengthen risk management.