Draft state wildfire resiliency code and map would cover most of Larimer County; commissioners weigh timeline and enforcement

Eric Fried, Larimer County building official, briefed the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 24 about the draft Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and the state’s draft wildfire hazard map, outlining key building and site‑management changes and a compressed timeline for adoption.

Fried said Senate Bill 23‑166 established the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board and directed the board to draft a model code and a statewide wildland‑urban interface (WUI) hazard map. Fried told commissioners the board must publish a final state code by July 1, and governing bodies are required to adopt the state code or something stronger within three months after publication, with an effective date no later than Jan. 1, 2026.

Staff displayed the draft hazard map and said the state’s mapping expands the wildfire hazard area from the foothills into much of the county’s grasslands; large portions of Larimer County fall into the map’s medium and high categories. Fried said the board combined the map’s medium and high zones into a single set of higher‑ stringency requirements in the draft model code, while low areas would be subject to less stringent measures.

Under the draft classification described by Fried, class 1 building hardening applies in low areas and requires elements such as Class A roof coverings, noncombustible gutters and ignition‑resistant vents. Class 2—applicable in medium/high zones—adds more stringent requirements, including ignition‑resistant or noncombustible exterior walls, noncombustible deck walking surfaces, stronger exterior doors (noncombustible or 20‑minute fire rated), and tighter requirements on perimeter gaps around vehicle access doors.

Fried said the draft code would apply to new construction, moved buildings, additions of 500 square feet or more, and exterior alterations that affect more than 25% of siding or roofing. He also summarized exemptions discussed in the draft: small accessory structures under 120 square feet located at least 30 feet from a habitable building, or any accessory building located at least 50 feet from a habitable building, would not be required to meet the full standards.

On site management, Fried described requirements such as noncombustible surfaces near buildings, limits on certain plantings, crown separation and pruning, address signage, and noncombustible retaining walls and fencing within eight feet of a structure. Derek Rosenquist of the sheriff’s office said the site‑management measures align closely with the State Forest Service home‑ignition‑zone guidance used locally, though Rosenquist noted practical inspection challenges (for example, distinguishing live versus dead vegetation in winter) and voiced support for the “herd immunity” argument that wider adoption of mitigation measures reduces neighborhood risk.

A central implementation question raised in the meeting was jurisdiction and enforcement inside fire protection districts. Fried said the statute defines "governing body" to include boards of county commissioners for unincorporated areas and the boards of directors of fire protection districts where those districts have code authority, but that ambiguity remains about which entity enforces the code inside a fire district and whether the county can enforce the construction piece inside district boundaries. Fried said county attorneys and peer counties are being consulted and that intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) might be needed.

Commissioners asked about housing affordability and the potential cost impact of elevated construction standards. Fried acknowledged the changes would increase costs for affected projects; commissioners requested staff analysis comparing current Larimer County requirements with the draft state code to quantify likely cost impacts. Several commissioners expressed support for seeking additional time to implement the code while clarifying enforcement and affordability issues; Fried and others noted a pending legislative proposal (referred to in the meeting as Senate Bill 25‑142) that would delay implementation by about six months and that county officials were tracking amendments.

Fried said staff would continue outreach to local building and fire officials, meet with fire districts and the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board's stakeholder sessions, and return to the Board with more detail after the final state code is published and after receiving legal guidance on enforcement inside fire districts. He also noted training needs and potential capacity constraints for smaller fire districts if they are expected to administer site‑management or construction inspections.