Rio Blanco commissioners schedule special meeting after heated debate over state wildland-urban interface codes

Rio Blanco County commissioners on March 24 set a special meeting for March 31 to decide whether to adopt state-recommended wildland-urban interface codes, after an extended and at times tense discussion about potential costs and limits on local control.

The debate centered on whether adopting the WOOI codes would force the county to update building and energy codes, create higher construction costs for homeowners and builders, and prompt insurers to decline renewals in high-risk areas. Commissioner Kelly warned that adoption could require changes to local building codes and that ‘‘the amount of money that that will cost homeowners and builders between those two codes is going to be crazy.’’ The board asked county attorney Rose to prepare a written legal opinion and possible resolutions both to adopt and to decline adoption and to begin map-appeal work.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the mapping that designates portions of the county as within the wildland-urban interface is flawed in places and could affect landowners’ insurance and mortgage prospects. Several members urged caution so residents and local contractors are not blindsided by new requirements. ‘‘There is a possibility that the governor can say you are not helping us and so we’re not going to help you,’’ a commissioner said, noting grant and state-cooperation risks.

County staff described options: seek an extension, appeal the state’s WUI map designation for specific parcels, or adopt a limited/minimal version of the codes. Rose told the board she was gathering legal guidance to clarify whether adopting the WOOI codes would automatically require the county to change its building and energy codes and what grant or insurance consequences might follow.

Board process and next steps: Commissioners directed staff to prepare two draft resolutions (one to adopt, one to decline) and legal analysis and to pursue early discussions about map appeals. The board set a special public meeting for March 31 at 2 p.m. to take a final vote and offered to hold public work sessions if more community input is needed. The county asked residents to contact their state legislators and said it would publish meeting notices and outreach details on the county website and social media.

What was not decided: The board did not adopt WOOI codes on March 24. No final determination was made about the scope of a map appeal or whether the county would request a formal extension from the state; Rose said she would report back with the written opinion and options before the special meeting.

The board’s discussion and the March 31 meeting will directly affect permitting, construction planning and possible grant eligibility for affected landowners.