Montrose County adopts state wildfire resiliency code and authorizes sheriff to impose 2026 fire restrictions

The Montrose County Board of County Commissioners voted April 1 to adopt the state-mandated 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and to authorize the county sheriff to implement fire restrictions for 2026.

Talmadge Richmond, county planning staff, told the board the code requires ‘‘structure hardening’’ — changes to roofing, siding and construction materials — and new inspection work tied to the state’s wildfire hazard map. The board approved Resolution No. 11-20-26 to adopt the code and its three appendices, and set the enforcement start date 90 days out, on July 1, 2026. Richmond said the county will add a $150 fee for the additional review and inspection work.

Chief Building Official Jack Northrup, who said he began in the role in September, warned the board this is ‘‘an unfunded mandate’’ from the state and outlined implementation challenges, including limited local capacity and confusing state mapping. ‘‘We’ve been drinking information out of a fire hose,’’ Northrup said, adding that ground-truthing to change a parcel’s designation requires certified technical documents and likely third-party costs.

Northrup also noted a new House bill (introduced March 16) that would let jurisdictions petition over mapping and would extend the adoption deadline to April 1, 2027; that bill remained in committee at the time of the meeting. Richmond and Northrup said they will continue coordinated outreach with local fire districts and prepare informational packets for affected property owners and contractors.

Separately the board adopted Resolution No. 10-20-26, drafted and presented by Sheriff Lillard, authorizing the sheriff to implement and lift stage 1 or 2 fire restrictions and limited bans in unincorporated areas of Montrose County in coordination with local fire districts, state and federal land managers. The resolution requires the sheriff to immediately notify the board of restrictions and gives the board up to 72 hours to ratify or reverse those actions.

Sheriff Lillard noted recent dry conditions and a recent arson investigation on Rim Road and said the authority will help coordinate timely local responses. The resolution will expire on Dec. 31, 2026.

The county acknowledged practical concerns including enforcement capacity, the burden of added inspections on a small department, and the potential costs to property owners and builders. Officials said they will monitor changes at the state level and offer additional public education and coordination with fire districts in the coming weeks.

What’s next: Enforcement is scheduled to begin July 1, 2026, unless the state delays the requirement; county staff said they will keep the board informed and may return to adjust local implementation if the pending bill passes.