Colorado may force new homes in wildfire-prone areas to adhere to a state building code
A forthcoming bill would create a new board with powers to tell local governments how houses must be built in the wildland-urban interface
Fire chiefs fearing disaster from wildfires where open space meets urban areas are joining lawmakers to push for a statewide board with power to define so-called wildland-urban interface danger zones and impose preventive building codes on local governments.
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Recent wildfires destroying hundreds of homes in suburban and exurban areas of Colorado have spread through embers blowing off wooden shake roofs, or down into excessive roof venting, Royal said. Uniform preventive building codes could outlaw shake roofs and limit vents, protecting firefighters, residents and property from blazes that explode on high winds.
Recent wildfires destroying hundreds of homes in suburban and exurban areas of Colorado have spread through embers blowing off wooden shake roofs, or down into excessive roof venting, Royal said. Uniform preventive building codes could outlaw shake roofs and limit vents, protecting firefighters, residents and property from blazes that explode on high winds.
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“The Governor’s team is working with the sponsors and stakeholders to ensure legislation fits with his goals of making Colorado safer and reducing home prices,” Polis’ office said, in a statement on the draft language.
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