San Miguel County adopts Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code; enforcement aligned with historic levels

At a public hearing April 1, San Miguel County commissioners adopted Resolution 2026‑14, formally taking on the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code required under Senate Bill 23‑166. Building official Matt Gonzales walked through the code’s scope, exemptions and compliance triggers, and emphasized that the code is triggered by construction permits rather than applied retroactively to existing structures.

Gonzales told the board the code seeks to reduce risk in the wildland‑urban interface (WUI) through building‑material standards and site mitigation measures. "We are bound to adopt this today by law, Colorado law," Gonzales said during his presentation. He noted specific triggers for compliance: new structures, additions larger than 500 square feet, or roof replacements exceeding 25% of surface area can trigger requirements.

The code includes mapping provided by the state’s division of fire prevention and control and a ground‑truthing mechanism that allows property owners to commission a qualified professional to demonstrate a different hazard classification for a parcel. The county clarified that certain West End Zone District parcels will continue to receive the historical, lower level of building‑permit enforcement while still being subject to state law and the code’s overall requirements.

Commissioners asked for clarification about enforcement, exemptions and when the county’s land‑use code would be amended; staff said land‑use amendments are expected later in the spring and that enforcement will begin no later than July 1, 2026. Commissioner Gleeson moved adoption of the resolution and Commissioner Brown seconded; the board voted aye unanimously.