Coming after several years of wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in various parts of Colorado, lawmakers in the Centennial State are contemplating a bill that would implement a series of new building codes to be carried out by local governments.
As proposed by Senator Lisa Cutter, the legislation would create a statewide governing code board empowered to classify wildfire danger zones.
The idea has won the support of local fire chiefs across the state, who have previously expressed concerns about homes being built in regions and area of Colorado most subject to wildfires.
The issue is a particularly painful one for both state leaders and residents: in late 2021 and early 2022 what is now called the Marshall Fire, stretching some 3 miles from the town of Superior to the city of Louisville, resulted in the destruction of up to 1,100 homes. Altogether, that fire caused more than $2 billion in property damages, including a shopping center and hotel.
As proposed, a governing code board would adopt both building and landscaping codes for cities and towns to follow. At the same time, it would put in place an appeals process for those cities and towns to modify any new code.
Criticism of the proposal has centered on the state taking on powers that should properly belong to local governments, and the possibility that such new codes will make it more expensive to build new housing.
A separate bill sponsored by Representative Marc Snyder would expand an existing wildfire mitigation grant program, allowing it to focus on how to make houses more resilient to wildfires. That legislation is now under review in the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee.
By Garry Boulard
