HB26-1334 Is Dead. The Wildfire Resiliency Code Is Moving Forward.

We're not going to sugarcoat it — we would have preferred a different outcome.

HB26-1334, a bill that would have delayed the rollout of Colorado's Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) by one year, was killed in committee on April 7, 2026. It never received a full legislative vote. It is dead for this session.

SCBA supported that delay — not because we oppose wildfire resilience, but because the CWRC still has real implementation gaps that need work before it gets applied uniformly across the state. The legislature had an opportunity to pump the brakes before this became a runaway truck situation. They didn't.

What That Means

The original deadlines are now locked in:

• Local governments were required to adopt the CWRC by April 1, 2026.

• Full implementation is required by July 1, 2026.

There is no more runway. Jurisdictions are either adopted, pending, or behind.

Where Summit County Stands — As of April 8, 2026

Breckenridge — Adopted

Breckenridge Town Council adopted the 2025 Wildfire Resiliency Code on first reading November 11, 2025, alongside the 2024 International Fire Code — and went further with stricter local amendments. If you're building in Breck, this code is in effect.

Summit County (Unincorporated / Keystone) — Adopted

The Summit Board of County Commissioners approved updated fire codes including the CWRC at a March 24, 2026 meeting. The 4,500 sq ft sprinkler threshold applies. Keystone falls under this jurisdiction — code is adopted as of late March.

Frisco — Pending Adoption (4,500 sq ft sprinkler threshold)

Silverthorne — Pending Adoption (5,000 sq ft sprinkler threshold)

Dillon — Pending Adoption (4,500 sq ft sprinkler threshold)

Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon are pending — but the July 1 implementation deadline doesn't care about pending. If you have projects in the pipeline in any of these jurisdictions, don't assume you have more time than you do.

A Note on the Code Itself

SCBA's position has never been anti-wildfire-safety. Our concern is that the CWRC still needs refinement before it's ready for blanket application — and the defeat of HB26-1334 means communities will now be implementing a code that, in our view, still has real-world gaps.

One specific example: the code requires tempered glass — but that requirement should not apply when a project already uses double or triple pane windows, which provide equivalent or better performance. We'll continue pushing for that kind of common-sense clarification.

For Suppliers: Expect Increased Demand

With adoption moving forward across Summit County, suppliers should anticipate increased demand for CWRC-compliant materials across all local projects. Plan accordingly:

• Class A roofing materials

• Fiber cement siding

• Ember-resistant vents

• Tempered glass (where applicable — see note above)

Lead times matter. Get ahead of this now.

Where We Go From Here

The bill is dead. The deadlines stand. And the CWRC still needs work.

SCBA will continue to advocate for practical, workable code language — because wildfire resilience and buildable code are not mutually exclusive goals. We'll keep engaging at the local level, pushing for refinements, and making sure the building community's voice is part of these conversations.

Questions? Reach out. This is a fast-moving situation and we're tracking it closely.

— Valerie Connelly, Executive Officer, Summit County Builders Association

Fire Code Changes in Summit County

The Summit Daily News recently covered the County’s decision to move forward with updated fire code requirements, including expanded residential sprinkler triggers, in the article:“Commissioners approve sprinkler changes in fire code despite builder association opposition.”

While we were disappointed to see the County move forward without adjusting the residential sprinkler threshold, we respect the process and recognize that this is an evolving conversation across Summit County.

More importantly, we want to share where we are, what we’ve been working on, and what comes next.

What’s Changed

The updated fire code lowers the threshold at which residential sprinkler systems are required — expanding those requirements into a broader portion of the housing stock.

This is not a small shift. It has implications for:

• Existing homes

• Remodels and additions

• Future construction decisions

And importantly, how feasible it is for homeowners to reinvest in their properties.

What We’ve Been Working On

Over the past several months, SCBA has been actively engaged in this process across multiple jurisdictions. That work has included:

• Providing data on how square footage thresholds impact real homes — not just new builds, but existing housing stock

• Working with local builders, trades, and design professionals to understand real-world implementation challenges

• Participating in meetings, work sessions, and conversations with staff and elected officials

• Advocating for clarity in how remodels, additions, and replacements are treated under the code

Our goal has been consistent: bring practical, on-the-ground perspective into a highly technical and policy-driven process.

Where We Stand

This has never been about opposing life safety.

Builders care deeply about safety — it is built into our work every day.

Our focus has been on balance:

• Safety grounded in documented risk

• Clear and enforceable code language

• Policies that are actually buildable in the real world

We’ve also been consistent on a few key points:

• Maintaining a reasonable sprinkler threshold (no lower than 5,000 sq. ft.)

• Ensuring remodel and addition triggers are clear and workable

• Avoiding the layering of multiple new code requirements that collectively impact housing affordability

Because that layering matters.

When fire code changes stack on top of new energy requirements and the State Wildfire Resiliency Code, the cumulative effect becomes significant — not just for builders, but for homeowners and the broader community.

Why This Matters

A large portion of Summit County’s housing falls within the range now affected by these changes.

These are not edge-case properties.These are homes people live in, maintain, and invest in.

At the same time, we’ve seen strong and consistent feedback from both local residents and second homeowners:people want a real community here.

Codes play a direct role in shaping that outcome.

They influence:

• Who can afford to build

• Who can afford to remodel

• Who can stay in their home long-term

Those are not abstract impacts — they are community outcomes.

What Comes Next

While the County has taken action, this conversation is far from over.

Other jurisdictions across Summit County are actively evaluating these same issues, and we’re encouraged to see:

• More detailed review of code language

• Consideration of local housing impacts

• Recognition of the value of input from the building community

SCBA will continue to engage in these discussions — constructively and collaboratively.

Final Thought

Good code policy lives in balance.

Between safety and practicality.Between intent and implementation.Between protecting people and preserving the ability to live here.

That’s the space we will continue to work in.