May 23, 2023 — The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is hailing a new landmark law in Colorado establishing a Wildfire Resiliency Code Board to enhance building codes and protect against wildfire risks in the state's wildland-urban interface.
“This is a tremendous step forward for expanding wildfire mitigation in Colorado and recognizes the need for policy action to better withstand the impact of wildfires,” said Jim Pauley, president and CEO of NFPA. “Signing SB23-166 into law reaffirms Colorado's commitment to wildfire resiliency, safeguarding homes, and supporting firefighters in their response efforts. The NFPA commends Governor Polis, the Colorado House, and the Senate for their leadership in prioritizing the safety of residents, businesses, and properties.”
Colorado has witnessed the devastating impact of wildfires, with four of the state's largest wildfires occurring in the past three years. Fires in 2020 and 2021 led to the destruction of nearly 1,500 structures, causing an estimated $3.3 billion in insured losses. In addition, two people were killed in the 2021 Marshall Fire.
The new law is a critical step in reducing wildfire risk to communities by creating a Wildfire Resiliency Board that will be charged with implementing statewide standards and developing robust wildfire mitigation strategies, drawing on the expertise of stakeholders to lessen the wildfire risks in diverse Colorado communities.
NFPA strongly supported the passage of SB23-166. Its experts participate in the state fire commission’s Wildland Urban Interface subcommittee providing information on the value of statewide standards governing construction and land use in areas prone to wildfire.
“By setting strong building codes and promoting resilience measures, this law ensures that at-risk homes and communities in Colorado are better prepared to withstand wildfires,” said NFPA Wildfire Division Director Michele Steinberg. “It also builds on robust efforts that we’ve seen with Firewise USA®, our voluntary wildfire mitigation program. Colorado boasts 200 active Firewise sites representing 100,000 residents, the third-largest number of participants of any state in the country.”
Firewise USA® is a part of Outthink Wildfire™, an NFPA policy initiative, which calls on all levels of government to make significant policy changes to create safer homes and businesses through home upgrades and risk reduction, sound building and land use standards, and increased resources for managing wildland fuels.
The enactment of Colorado’s new wildfire law comes at a crucial and opportune time when federal funding is available for hazard mitigation efforts, including technical assistance for implementing wildfire building codes and mitigation measures.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
Contact: Lorraine Carli, Public Affairs Office; publicaffairs@nfpa.org; +1 617-984-7275