BV Trustees Approve Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Amendments

The Buena Vista (BV) Board of Trustees (BoT) approved Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code amendments in a public hearing on Tuesday, August 11. The first reading of the code was held on Tuesday, July 14.

The ordinance amends the town's adoption of the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code to "incorporate additional local amendments consistent with those adopted by Chaffee County" and Salida. Trustees initially adopted the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code earlier in 2026.

BV Planning Director Marika Kopp introduced the topic to the trustees. Chaffee County Chief Building Official Chad Chadwick joined remotely to discuss amendments and answer trustee questions.

Kopp stated in the packet memo, "Following the town's adoption, Chaffee County completed its code adoption process and approved several additional local amendments addressing wildfire mitigation, emergency access, water supply, structure hardening, and other site development standards."

She continued, "Because Buena Vista contracts with Chaffee County Building Safety for building code administration, maintaining consistency between the Town and County codes will simplify plan review, permitting, and code enforcement for applicants, staff, and the Building Official."

Trustees heard a presentation on the code during the Tuesday, May 12 meeting. During that meeting, Chadwick stated the amendments were developed after the Marshall Fire. The updates are intended to reduce the spread of fire between structures.

Kopp stated that she removed language from the county's amendments that would not apply to the town. The ordinance only includes amendments "deemed appropriate" for use in BV.

The update includes the requirement for any currently unclassified property to follow class 1 structure hardening standards. This is true regardless of how the state classifies the property. This applies to new structures in BV.

Class 1 hardening is considered the "base level" for wildfire resistant construction. It focuses on improving exterior fire resistance and preventing embers from entering homes. This includes ember-resistant vents, flame and ember-resistant roofing, and fire-resistant materials for features like gutters.

Properties classified higher than Class 1, must follow those requirements from the state.

Updates included for BV require:

• Additional ember-resistant vent placement and screening requirements
• Fencing within eight feet of structures should use ignition-resistant or noncombustible materials
• More visible and reflective address signage is required
• New requirements for driveway width, turnarounds, turnouts, and grade limits
• Additional fire protection and inspection requirements for temporary vendors

These updates are required of new buildings and new fences. They will not be retroactively applied to existing fencing.

"I would encourage all property owners to make their property defensible," commented Kopp.

Trustee Andrew Rice asked about the estimated cost these new requirements may add to a home. Kopp and Chadwick were unsure of the exact cost these requirements could add.

Chadwick said that there would be various options to meet the code for things like vents. All of which would differ in price.

"It could add cost if people want to go with the higher end, fire resistant venting, but there are a lot of products out there and it's just up to folks to search out what they want," said Chadwick.

Regarding the total additional cost, Chadwick said, "The cost is going to be a lot less than if your house burned down."

Kopp said local builders in the community informally estimated the additional cost would be around $5,000. This could go up to around $10,000 if they use more expensive options.

Chadwick later added that more products following these requirements are frequently being released given that the code is statewide.

Public comment encouraged steps to protect against fire.

Jim Thompson spoke during public comment about his personal experience with wildfires.

"I had been on a fire years ago where myself and four of the smoke jumpers joined a local fire crew trying to protect a house from being burnt," said Thompson. "When we had to run, we had to run through fire right down the driveway because the trees were so thick."

"I know the Forest Service right now instructs their crews, do not go into a location to defend a house if it's got trees and everything because it's no way out," continued Thompson. "And I tell you what, it's hell on Earth."

County Commissioner Gina Lucrezi also spoke during public comment to urge trustees to adopt the amendments. She praised Kopp's graphics included in the packet and brought up the topic of insurance.

"The only additional thing I wanted to touch on and bring to your attention is the issue of insurance and the rising challenges we're starting to see across the West due to increasing wildfire disasters," said Lucrezi.

"Rates are increasing and, in some places, you can't even get coverage," she continued.

Lucrezi said the issue was a big topic of discussion at the county and state level. Recently she spoke with Colorado Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie and Congresswoman Pettersen.

"Trying to work on more options for legislation that will be able to regulate insurance costs, but right now it's quite hard to do, and we don't believe that it's possible to win a battle against them unless there are more efforts put in for home hardening and mitigation."

Colorado experienced the largest cumulative increase in home insurance rates. The state experienced a 100.8 percent increase from 2020 to 2025. Iowa saw the second largest increase at 96 percent.

U.S. home insurance rates rose a cumulative 46.8 percent in the same time frame. Severe weather losses, like wildfire, and increasing costs have contributed to this rise.

Lucrezi added that additional building costs could be mitigated by lower insurance costs prompted by taking hardening steps.

Discussion didn't take long when it came time to vote.

"This certainly appears reasonable to me," commented Rice.

"I concur with Trustee Rice. I think it sounds reasonable," said Trustee Devin Rowe.

Rowe moved to approve the ordinance. Trustee Micha Rosenoer seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

The full recording of the Tuesday's meeting is available on the town's YouTube channel.