2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code

Colorado is taking a significant step toward wildfire preparedness with the rollout of the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC), which is set to take effect statewide on July 1, 2025. Developed by the state’s Wildfire Resiliency Code Board, the CWRC establishes construction and landscaping requirements for properties located in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas, aiming to reduce fire risk to structures and prevent the spread of wildfire into surrounding vegetation. The code applies to new construction, significant remodels, and specific roofing projects, with standards tailored to fire intensity zones designated by local authorities. 

Under the CWRC, builders must incorporate a range of fire-resilient construction practices depending on the property's fire intensity classification. Key requirements include using Class A roofing materials, noncombustible gutters and siding, and ember-resistant attic and crawl space vents. In higher-risk zones, builders must also install tempered or fire-rated windows, enclose eaves and soffits, and ensure garage doors are tightly sealed (with gaps no larger than 1/8 inch). Decks must be constructed from ignition-resistant or non-combustible materials, and new landscaping must adhere to strict defensible space guidelines, including the thinning and removal of combustible materials within 5 feet of structures. These measures are designed to create a “hardened” home capable of withstanding wind-driven embers and radiant heat from nearby wildfires. 

While some Colorado communities, such as Colorado Springs, already enforce their own WUI building regulations, all local jurisdictions must adopt a code that meets or exceeds the CWRC by March 2026. Enforcement is expected to begin shortly afterward, depending on each jurisdiction’s timeline. Builders and property owners should anticipate requirements such as defensible space zones, ember-resistant vents, non-combustible building materials, and specific fire-resistant design features. The CWRC represents a significant shift in how Colorado builds and maintains homes in fire-prone areas, reflecting the increasing urgency of wildfire mitigation statewide.