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Glenwood Springs council approves first reading of Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code; staff to map interior as 'moderate'
Summary
After a presentation from the fire marshal and building officials, council unanimously passed first reading of the state-mandated Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code; staff recommended mapping core city areas as 'moderate' so consistent new-construction standards apply citywide, with enforcement to begin July 1.
Fire Marshal Robin Pitt and city building staff presented the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, a state-mandated code aimed at reducing wildfire risk through building and site standards for new structures and certain alterations. Pitt described the code’s technical focus on structure hardening (Class A roofing, ember-resistant details), site management (vegetation, crown spacing, ladder-fuel removal) and mapping methods to classify hazard zones.
Staff recommended mapping Glenwood Springs’ interior areas as "moderate," which would apply the same Class 2 standards used at the city's perimeter where wildfire risk is higher; staff said most building standards (Class A roofs, double-pane windows for energy code compliance) are already in the local code and that the biggest change will be landscaping and deck/fencing materials. The state requires jurisdictions to adopt the code by April 1 and begin enforcement July 1; staff noted outreach and updates to the landscape code and planning processes are needed for implementation.
Councilors asked about potential effects on homeowners' insurance and local enforcement capacity (noting past county properties that remained hazardous despite citations). Staff said insurance companies use proprietary maps but hoped the standardization could support continued insurance availability; enforcement will require coordination and, where necessary, referral to county processes for properties outside city authority.
Councilor Schachter moved and Mayor Pro Tem Salinski seconded approval of the first reading of Ordinance 2026-04 (Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code). The council voted unanimously to pass first reading; staff said the second reading will be on the March 19 agenda and that the code is being adopted by reference, which changes noticing requirements.
