[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6532188,"mediaKeyId","3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca","parentId",3415764,"title","State wildfire‑resiliency map places pockets of Broomfield in WUI zones; staff promises outreach and local review","audioSeconds",415,"startMs",3445000,"endMs",3860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca&start=3445&end=3860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca/thumbnail_3445000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6532188/Broomfield-County/Colorado/State-wildfireresiliency-map-places-pockets-of-Broomfield-in-WUI-zones-staff-promises-outreach-and-local-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532188-3d750ab1846098e244e7461b51fc8ddb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186320&Signature=OkZNwKPaKA99nv89NFegSv65vtwtxDYAhf6cXzkBjVNj9iSkiIWNzREqEy71cR7vTLJsVTN5jyPCVnmlBUg0AN2ZfSBNmjhcSys~0wbZgugk~OKhn70e8b9tv2OqMOQrCI20~jZD9dahgU3EG-oAdskeGbCGGsrznE~nQHyQOoiLB6iEX6bWRJ8Si9tSLY98QAKPeDOGDef1uMPPnKIYPC60HD7BCtEm2U5YWJi2ZCDrDGxMbBA4leH-WD61sqKus8DGBVhki9jsWxeqZludAhX9LDGDDg~KZfRq-cOaHBmH7YEMLJTgTCE8RizIm7eIC~7xX8llXexW3Y3bfb4sNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Broomfield County","date","2025-05-21T00:01:54Z","article","City and County of Broomfield staff briefed council on the draft Colorado Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) model code and a state map that places portions of several Broomfield neighborhoods in the state’s yellow and orange WUI zones. Staff said the map focuses on the projected severity of wildfire behavior (how intensely a fire would burn) rather than ignition probability and noted the map reduced the initially affected areas within Broomfield compared with earlier drafts.

Kate Foles, the city’s landscape architect, reviewed the draft rules’ key elements: requirements for ignition‑resistant roofing and vents; noncombustible or ignition‑resistant siding and soffits in the orange zone; enhanced garage‑door seals and solid‑core exterior doors; and a three‑zone defensible space model (Zone 1: 0–5 ft; Zone 2: 5–30 ft; Zone 3: 30–100+ ft) with specific vegetation and materials restrictions within each zone. Foles said the draft code applies only to new construction, additions that increase a structure’s footprint by more than 500 square feet and replacement of 25% or more of a roof or exterior wall — not to existing conditions simply because the code is adopted.

Foles identified neighborhoods and parcels that appear on the current draft map as affected in whole or in part, including Great Western Park, The Ridge at Broomfield, Interlochen, Broomfield Business Center, Sunridge 2, Ridgeview Heights, Whistlepig, Wildgrass, Wilcox Estates, Spruce Meadows and Anthem Filing 24. She said properties in the yellow zone would face less restrictive hardening requirements (Class A roofing, ember‑resistant vents, noncombustible gutters) while orange‑zone properties would be subject to more stringent materials and construction standards.

Council members raised a series of concerns about the map and implementation: several asked whether the state provided a clear appeals or ground‑truthing process, whether the map affects insurance rates and construction costs, and whether the state engaged impacted residents before finalizing the map. Staff said the state board adopted the map as part of its draft code but that jurisdictions may seek map modification and that Broomfield staff intend to pursue “boots on the ground” verification for the large Wilcox area and any other orange zones council directs staff to review. Staff said they do not yet know the state’s specific requirements for an appeal or the likely cost of third‑party mapping work.

Timelines are compressed: staff said the state final code was required to be published by July 1, 2025 and that jurisdictions will have nine months from publication to adopt the code or an equivalent; enforcement would follow after an additional three-month period. Staff said they will establish a Broomfield Voice page and hold outreach and open‑house events for affected residents and plan to return with an ordinance in January 2026 for council consideration, with anticipated implementation aligned with the broader 2024 code package in April 2026.

Council members asked staff to compile constituent concerns and stated support for targeted local outreach and map ground‑truthing. Staff also reported they will share resident feedback with the state board and coordinate any requests for map modification.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Sessions","oneSentenceSummary","A draft state Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) model code and map now includes portions of several Broomfield neighborhoods in yellow and orange WUI zones; staff said stricter materials and defensible‑space rules would apply to new construction and significant exterior work in those zones and promised local outreach and further review.","taxTitle","Broomfield County, Colorado","taxId",9320,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6532194,"Broomfield backs staff plan to adopt state low‑energy and carbon code as part of 2024 package",1706,2432000,4138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca&start=2432&end=4138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca/thumbnail_2432000.jpg","/articles/6532194/Broomfield-County/Colorado/Broomfield-backs-staff-plan-to-adopt-state-lowenergy-and-carbon-code-as-part-of-2024-package","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532194-9ad1991ee39a909c15fd6b57875c7a10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186320&Signature=oLbTsjHfd53J9iXafbE~yz0JAYHP7tmqpaBadSY6m413Led5~JMRwU9cFgsrPMn20y~3~Wl4PbZZ56B7aLT3Q6A62btNV1LRwFOtL~ZxptH7oyTzy3OOFF9NS-9cc-KwnGyAHKyorMwdcFvD25bKC0lt2SFgc5Q9E1dB5ZEAyJivmFFY1iR3fRUh0Dr6aTKbgoUzQwb~zPXYiNBRvl95eIFT8zWOMrTW8EM2K7e8HwHnwn3bsXSL-QvIZt748JFUfw7j0UX7A9TtDKVkB935bYabDLcPJxhpy8yPp4-AXuVE82Oj5JrhBuLOnR~nZqGJUbaWGLulKy6jgFz8Af9FyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City and County of Broomfield staff asked council tonight to endorse a timing plan for the community’s energy code update that incorporates the forthcoming Colorado low‑energy and carbon code, and council members gave unanimous consent to move forward with staff’s recommendation.

Tim Pate, the city’s chief building official, told council the city completed phases 1 and 2 of its energy-code roadmap (adopting the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code in 2023 and electric‑ready/solar‑ready requirements effective Jan. 1, 2024). He said the Colorado Energy Office delayed final publication of the 2024 IECC baseline and the state low‑energy and carbon code until Sept. 1, 2025 and that staff recommends adopting the state low‑energy and carbon code as part of Broomfield’s 2024 code package (first reading in January 2026 and effective April 15, 2026) rather than adopting an early 2024 IECC baseline now.

Pate said the state low‑energy and carbon code uses the 2024 IECC as a baseline and includes additional amendments and appendices that will make the final Colorado code stronger than the base 2024 IECC; he cited available estimates that the residential portion of the 2024 IECC is approximately 7% more efficient than the 2021 IECC and that the commercial portion is roughly 10% more efficient, subject to later adjustment by the state’s rulemaking. Pate also said staff is not recommending additional local strengthening amendments at present because the forthcoming state code will already be more stringent than the current local standard.

Pate said staff met with the advisory committee on environmental sustainability (ACES), which supported the recommendation. He asked council whether it supports moving forward with adoption of the state low‑energy and carbon code as part of the 2024 code adoption in early 2026 and for direction to have staff and ACES review the state code in September for potential additional amendments.

Council members asked clarifying questions about whether the state code is “all‑electric” (Pate said it is not an all‑electric code but is effectively “electric‑preferred”: mixed‑fuel systems remain allowed but require additional energy‑efficiency tradeoffs) and whether Broomfield can meaningfully change the state‑level requirements (Pate said the state legislation restricts the Energy Code Board from weakening the base code, but jurisdictions may propose appendices or other amendments through established processes). Council member Tim Ward, Mayor Pro Tem Schaff and others voiced support; the mayor declared unanimous consent to move forward with staff’s recommendation and the proposed schedule.

Staff said the next steps are to review the final published state code, consult with ACES about potential strengthening amendments, and present the 2024 code package for council readings in early 2026 with an anticipated April 15, 2026 implementation date if adopted.","City staff recommended waiting for the state low‑energy and carbon code to be finalized and to adopt it concurrently with Broomfield’s 2024 code package; council gave unanimous consent to move forward and asked staff and the advisory committee on environmental sustainability to review potential strengthening amendments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6532199,"Broomfield survey: residents split on direction; quality-of-life ratings remain high",1700,0,1700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca&start=0&end=1700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6532199/Broomfield-County/Colorado/Broomfield-survey-residents-split-on-direction-quality-of-life-ratings-remain-high","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532199-c2dee8f6ad92a37d3065fc191d2042b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186320&Signature=o66cBN80yC7tYAwXvE25ePIk16KiDmOpZwR3JIsOqfZoeS3TILXiMoGksi2AhFXQ1tSPeUGNjznVEoz2SnWfgpwtrKyH~tGAU4qJxgm-7Y-~~so1XgTSGg5wwlbULGlMt2NEihkwo7sYtwo5sYXF9svGYDTyt5ziNTYvlJFktZiJZ~bRtx3jTp2YbDtR3AnxMrivFaNxZUzLbx7eY56Vv~CsSxHBEvWA66-Pr9jRC0Mc5bgcFQaVazvHIVkrjgB7YQFisthpmlDa8482EhnbarZjVtVHkUSQq0XIcG5mBn~YKAtG7FA-efDAHl85xhLDwaRr-dpCvdIPWUvCucvA9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City and County of Broomfield tonight heard results of a 2025 community survey conducted by Magellan Strategies that shows high marks for local quality of life and government services but sharp resident concern about cost of living and recent utility rate increases.

Courtney Sievers, a survey researcher with Magellan Strategies, told the City Council the firm completed 2,908 interviews conducted Feb. 24–March 20, 2025 and sent outreach texts to about 44,628 residents, roughly 71% of the adult population. Sievers said the survey is weighted to match Broomfield’s adult population and reports a margin of error of 1.77 percentage points at the 95% confidence level for the overall sample; subgroup margins of error are larger.

The survey asked whether things in Broomfield are moving in the “right direction” or on the “wrong track.” Sievers said 36% responded “right direction,” 29% said “wrong track” and 35% were “unsure.” Among respondents who said Broomfield is moving in the right direction, Sievers said praise centered on parks, trails, libraries, recreation centers and responsiveness of city services such as snow plowing and street maintenance. Among residents who said the city is on the wrong track, she said concerns focused on cost of living, utility and trash-hauling increases, perceived overdevelopment and declines in maintenance and public safety.

Julie Storey, Broomfield’s director of communications and engagement, summarized the presentation, saying the survey shows “a high level of resident satisfaction across those key community performance indicators,” while noting cost of living, smart growth and affordable housing as top concerns. Storey and Sievers pointed council members to a longer public version of the presentation that includes subgroup tables and 10-year trend charts.

Other notable findings presented: 88% of respondents reported at least some satisfaction with drinking water; 87% were satisfied with recreational amenities; 82% rated overall quality of life as good or excellent; and 62% said fees, charges and taxes provide good value. The survey included 772 requests via an online form for a survey link (369 completed those links), five Spanish-language completions and one completion received via the Broomfield Fish link. Sievers said the data include ward-level breakdowns and tenure in Broomfield and that younger residents and recent arrivals were more likely to register “unsure” responses.

Council members asked whether Magellan could provide cross-community comparisons; Sievers said comparisons to nearby jurisdictions are possible and that Broomfield generally ranks in the top three on quality-of-life measures compared with nearby cities. Council members also discussed communications strategy after the presentation; Storey said staff will increase outreach about engagement platforms such as Broomfield Voice and the In the Loop newsletter and highlighted plans to expand content in R Broomfield magazine and continue event-based outreach.

The presentation packet and the longer public version of the slide deck were made available to council and to the public, and staff said they will use the survey results to guide communication and policy prioritization.","A Magellan Strategies survey of 2,908 residents found strong satisfaction with quality of life and city services but sharp concerns about cost of living, utility rate increases and growth. About 36% said Broomfield is headed in the right direction, 29% said wrong track and 35% were unsure.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6532184,"Broomfield transit study proposes community connector, FlexRide changes and EasyRide enhancements",1093,7857000,8950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca&start=7857&end=8950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415764-184530742c6f133fb340c852764294ca/thumbnail_7857000.jpg","/articles/6532184/Broomfield-County/Colorado/Broomfield-transit-study-proposes-community-connector-FlexRide-changes-and-EasyRide-enhancements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532184-1c0803c261048f2769e29278c46a7ce6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186320&Signature=N1Gy21yxYMOGg29BzZM9vuKkUOhJv3lm02ZZoKZvMIXePD3elfmaMXyi1RLpciIXeWdY1aaqtlJJSqUaMUg8ZVPbDFDZdt3hD4hS4iIqL1lhXrmBVEydW7D8UOu6nwN0awC0fgCzxc43eRQufVCSrcubSzEy8EAaB9OxXrwbKiYkPoyGKemSG~UwwVlBDYcBSK8dfziaWcT0JthSZmaFUGkEhTTKnRw~PhYsj~jUTxoVaVUsdR6JObAVgzT8r-yYDxd4cnSFLeNaaaQuamjZ7B5earjnHmRav-J5~tzCLvZddsliIPuRa3f9PgLDd5TJDRTIiVGM1GPH0o6tqzfzow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented initial recommendations from the Broomfield Transit Study (formerly the transit needs assessment), calling for a phased program of local transit improvements that includes a new fixed‑route community connector, targeted FlexRide zone changes and operational upgrades to EasyRide, the city’s paratransit service.

Sarah Grant, Broomfield’s transportation manager, said the study (a DRCOG‑funded effort) completed outreach with more than 3,000 residents via pop‑ups, focus groups and four surveys. Lisonbee Baxter, the senior transportation planner and project manager, and James Gerken of consulting firm Transportation Management & Design (TMD) summarized the analysis: the study divided Broomfield into five study zones and identified South Central and Central Broomfield as areas of relatively high transit propensity and unmet needs. Staff reported 80% of city land area is currently outside a half‑mile of fixed‑route transit.

Draft recommendations presented to council include:

- A fixed‑route community connector (a reimagined Route 128) linking Broomfield Station/US‑36, schools, civic destinations and either Orchard Town Center (Option 1) or a Civic Center loop with an alternate terminal at a Westminster Walmart on U.S. 36 (Option 2). Staff asked council which alignment better served community goals.

- FlexRide adjustments: extend hours, add Sunday service, add vehicles at peak times and consider consolidating FlexRide zones to improve connectivity (staff noted RTD has limited capacity to expand FlexRide and that changes will be phased with RTD collaboration).

- EasyRide (senior and ADA paratransit) operational investments: improved scheduling technology, shifting some drivers to benefited positions and piloting fixed‑schedule trips for high‑demand medical and nutrition routes.

Staff noted a $400,000 pilot fund is available and that the RTD Partnership Program (a new grant opportunity) could fund pilots but carries a risk: RTD may not adopt pilots into its permanent network, leaving the city to sustain or discontinue service. Staff said the community connector would require additional funding beyond the pilot and that any changes to RTD fixed routes will be coordinated through RTD’s system planning process.

Council members debated priorities. Some members urged focusing resources on EasyRide and FlexRide improvements to meet vulnerable residents’ needs and to avoid over‑investing in fixed routes that may underperform in a low‑density suburban context. Other council members urged a more ambitious fixed‑route network and said a bold plan could build ridership over time. Council asked staff to include the study’s concepts in public outreach this summer and return with a final plan in the fall; staff said a mobility pilot is expected in 2026 and recommended no additional local budget request at this time.","A federally funded transit study proposes a new fixed‑route community connector (variants that serve Orchard Town Center or a Civic Center loop), FlexRide service consolidation and weekend/extended hours, and operational upgrades for EasyRide; staff seeks public input and noted $400,000 in pilot funding available for mobility pilots.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State wildfire‑resiliency map places pockets of Broomfield in WUI zones; staff promises outreach and local review

Broomfield backs staff plan to adopt state low‑energy and carbon code as part of 2024 package

Broomfield survey: residents split on direction; quality-of-life ratings remain high

Broomfield transit study proposes community connector, FlexRide changes and EasyRide enhancements