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County planning staff wins $600,000 BRIC subaward; WUI code, septic and FEMA mapping updates flagged as coming issues
Summary
County planning staff told commissioners Feb. 12 that Alamosa County is a subrecipient on an approximate $600,000 BRIC (Building Resilience in Communities) grant to fund building‑code enforcement, training and consultant assistance across the San Luis Valley.
Alamosa County planning staff told the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 12 that the county is a subrecipient on a hazard‑mitigation BRIC grant worth roughly $600,000 that will fund building code enforcement, in‑person training and consultant support across the San Luis Valley.
Planning staff described the BRIC package as approximately $600,000 total, with $150,000 in local match provided through DOLA’s Local Match program and roughly $450,000 in federal funds, plus an administrative allocation for the county. Staff said the three‑year grant will pay for consultant site visits, contractor training and local capacity to implement updated state building codes, including preparation for the state’s forthcoming wildland‑urban interface (WUI) code and potential energy code changes.
Planning staff warned commissioners that proposed WUI code elements could raise construction costs in some cases, and commissioners raised concerns about affordability. One commissioner summarized industry estimates discussed at a recent conference that WUI compliance could add “$15 to $20 a square foot” on some builds. Planning staff said the actual impact depends on current building materials and practices; Alamosa County’s existing wind and other site conditions already require higher‑quality materials in some cases.
Staff also briefed the board on other state regulatory developments: the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is preparing updated septic regulations (Regulation 43) with an intended adoption timetable in May; the state has taken on a dredge‑and‑fill permitting program after federal changes; and FEMA mapping updates are expected to expand flood mapping in parts of the county where maps are outdated.
Planning staff said the county will issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) to hire consultants for the BRIC work and that the grant is intended to build valley‑wide capacity, including for neighboring jurisdictions that adopted the 2018 building code.
Commissioners asked to see implementation plans and were told staff will return with procurement documents and a schedule for consultant selection.
No formal vote was required on the briefing; commissioners did not block staff from seeking consultant proposals or accepting the grant under the terms described.
