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Town staff warns state WUI fire‑code mandate could raise local building costs
Summary
Town staff told the council Colorado has mandated adoption of the Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) code; staff warned tiers 2–3 coverage in Rangely could increase materials and plan‑review costs and that enforcement and staffing would fall to the town without state funding.
Jonah, a town staff member, told the Rangely Town Council the state has issued a requirement to adopt the Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) code and outlined local consequences. "This is something that the state of Colorado has mandated that we adopt," he said, adding that the town currently has no dedicated state funding for enforcement.
Jonah said much of Rangely falls into WUI tiers 2 and 3, which would require "more expensive material, additional site surveys and site plan reviews," and that how strictly the town enforces the code will be a local decision. He cautioned that adopting the code now — or being labeled noncompliant later — could lead the state to impose enforcement standards that require additional staff or oversight. Council members asked whether neighboring jurisdictions were resisting adoption; Jonah said some municipalities and counties initially considered non‑adoption but many are now leaning toward adoption.
The council did not vote on adoption at this meeting. Jonah said he will return with the draft code and a formal recommendation at the next meeting so the council can consider a formal adoption ordinance and any budgetary implications.
