Debate follows Chaffee County’s proposed ‘electric‑preferred’ building code; Buena Vista trustees to consider a resolution

Buena Vista — Chaffee County staff and local code advocates presented a proposed “electric‑preferred” amendment to the county’s International Energy Conservation Code during the Town of Buena Vista board meeting on April 8, prompting public comment and requests from trustees for more technical analysis.

What was presented: Chad Chavagran, Chaffee County chief building official, described the draft amendment as a modest step above the state’s current “electric‑ready” baseline. The amendment would give builders compliance credit for electrification measures — for example, heat pumps and electric‑ready wiring — while preserving the option to use natural gas. Matt (last name not specified), a volunteer with the county who helped develop the draft, and Christine Brinker of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project answered technical questions.

Public comment: About a half‑dozen people addressed the trustees during public comment. Supporters said the amendment promotes cleaner local energy, future proofing and reduced operating costs over time. Opponents cautioned about upfront prices, supply reliability and consumer choice. - Rick Shoemaker (resident) urged the town to adopt a resolution in support of the model amendment, saying electrification enables technologies such as virtual power plants and long‑term cost reductions. - Briston (Briston) Jones, representing Atmos Energy, said his company favors an “all‑of‑the‑above approach” and warned the board to consider affordability; he cited studies that, he said, show natural gas can be less expensive for some Colorado households. - Deb Hannigan, a local homeowner, spoke in favor of the amendment and said her rooftop solar system produces more energy than her household needs. - Chris Martin (remote) said he supports the code because it preserves choice and is not an all‑electric mandate.

Why it matters: The state requires local jurisdictions to adopt updated energy codes over time; the Colorado Energy Office is developing a low‑carbon model code that will take effect for jurisdictions that update after July 1, 2026. County staff said adopting an ‘electric‑preferred’ approach now would help builders and developers prepare and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the residential and commercial building sector, which staff identified as a major local source of emissions.

Trustee questions and next steps: Trustees pressed staff for more locally relevant data: estimates of long‑term utility bills for electric versus gas in Chaffee County, local grid capacity and projected electricity sources. Several trustees asked for additional briefings that include local utility input, builder perspectives and deeper cost modeling. County staff asked trustees to consider a resolution of support at the next board meeting and said they would circulate supporting analyses and potential amendments for trustees to review.

Quotes - “With that money comes a requirement to make sure that we are not, being unduly economically discriminatory, offering sweetheart deals to people,” Dan said earlier in the meeting about FAA funding for the airport; trustees referenced similar funding‑assurance constraints when discussing energy policy. (Note: the county code discussion was led by Chad and staff.) - Resident Rick Shoemaker urged trustees to support the amendment in order to enable emerging systems he called “virtual power plants.”

Context: The county already adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and the Colorado model electric and solar‑ready code; the electric‑preferred amendment is a locally drafted step intended to encourage electrification while retaining homeowner choice. Staff noted many new homes already in the county are being built all‑electric.

Officials asked trustees to review the draft and consider a resolution supporting county adoption; trustees asked staff to return with additional modeling and invited utilities and builders to participate in a work session.