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

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.