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Elbert County planning commission recommends adoption of Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to recommend county adoption of the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code. Staff said the state code and map set building and defensible‑space standards by risk band; two ministerial fields (jurisdiction name and local implementing official) remain to finalize the draft before it goes to the Board of County Commissioners.
The Elbert County Planning Commission voted unanimously March 3 to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and certify the state‑adopted map.
County staff explained that the state’s map assigns parcels to risk bands — the transcript described yellow areas as lower‑intensity (grasslands, sporadic fuels) and orange areas as moderate fuels where flames are expected to reach roughly 8 feet. The code ties building requirements (roofing and exterior materials, windows, defensible‑space distances and outbuilding construction) to those bands.
"The code is required," a county staff member told the commission, noting the statute gave all local jurisdictions nine months to adopt the state standard. Staff said two administrative details remain in the draft: filling in the jurisdiction’s formal name and designating the local official who will implement the code (either the county chief building official or a fire chief).
Commissioners asked about map accuracy for heavily forested pockets and whether some private parcels should be classified as higher risk. Staff said the state‑adopted map reflects expert work by the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Board and that there is a statutory process to seek alternate provisions or evaluations for individual properties.
The commission opened the matter for public comment, heard none on the item and a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the county certification. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote; the item will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action and incorporation of the jurisdiction name and the designated implementing official.
Next steps: the county must supply the completed form (jurisdiction name and designated implementing official) and the Board of County Commissioners will consider final adoption and certification.
No changes to local building codes are final until the BOCC acts, and staff told the commission that jurisdictions may petition the state for alternate provisions if there are technical disagreements with the map or code.
