Department of Community Development
Reference: Adoption of the state required Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Andrew Ulmer, Chief Building Official
Date Prepared: May 29, 2026
PURPOSE
This agenda item is to introduce the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code adoption by ordinance and constitutes the first reading. City of Brighton is mandated to adopt the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code by the state of Colorado. The information within this staff report, and presentation regarding the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) outline where and what new preventative measures will need to be taken within affected areas in the City of Brighton.
PROCESS
After the first reading, a public hearing and second reading would be scheduled for July 21st after the required notices were published in the newspaper on July 1st and July 9th. The procedure for adoption of a code by reference is governed by CRS 31-16-201 et seq. Therefore, introduction, aka first reading of the ordinance, is the first step in the process.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE
In 2025, Senate Bill 25-142 was enacted into law requiring the adoption of the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code if a jurisdiction has an area falling within the Wildland-Urban Interface map. The City does have some areas that fall within this map.
This code applies to both residential and commercial structures. The code administrative provisions mirror that of other ICC adopted model codes. An applicant proposing to build a new project will have the ability to appeal categorization of the state map at their own expense with the support of a technical expert. This will not impact existing structures unless they are undergoing a significant addition or alteration.
On the Wildland-Urban Interface map within City boundaries, there are two risk levels, class 1 and class 2. These areas have restrictions that...
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