Wildland Urban Interface Code Update

At a glance

• What: Ordinance No. 26-18 repealing and reordaining Appendix K (Wildland Urban Interface Requirements) of Part 1 (Fire Prevention Code) of Article 4 (Fire Prevention) of Chapter 8 (Public Safety).
• Outcome: Approved on first reading 8-0-0-1 on April 28, 2026 (Leinweber absent for the vote); finally passed on the Consent Calendar on May 12, 2026 (8-0-1-0, Donelson excused).

Detail

• Presented by Fire Marshal Kris Cooper. Attachments include the Appendix K text, a Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) document, the formal approval of the local map, letters of support, and the 2026 Colorado Springs Fire Department code (2021 International Fire Code plus the CWRC).
• No Councilmember called the item off consent. The same meeting adopted a resolution recognizing May 2026 as National Wildfire Awareness Month, at which Cooper described local wildfire risk.

First reading (April 28, 2026)

• Kris Cooper covered the background, key updates, risk classification, the local wildfire risk map, Class 1 and Class 2 provisions, fuels management zones, financial impact, public process, options and the Fire Department recommendation. Attachments included letters of support and the formal approval of the local map.
• Henjum asked whether thousands of existing homes do not meet the provisions; Cooper confirmed they do and said the Department meets with homeowner associations to educate residents. Rainey asked about HOA concerns (they have been very supportive of mitigation) and insurance rates (Cooper had no information, but building to industry standards will help homeowners with coverage).
• President Pro Tem Risley supported the ordinance and said that because of the state mandate it will raise construction costs and house prices.
• Moved by Donelson, seconded by Rainey Jr., approved on first reading 8-0-0-1. Aye: Casey, Crow-Iverson, Donelson, Gold, Henjum, Rainey Jr., Risley, Williams. Absent: Leinweber. Presented under New Business item 10.B (file 26-048).

Votes

• May 12, 2026: part of the Consent Calendar motion by Williams, seconded by Gold, passed 8-0-1-0.

Sources

• City Council minutes, April 28, 2026: https://legistar2.granicus.com/coloradosprings/meetings/2026/4/2778_M_City_Council_26-04-28_Meeting_Minutes.pdf (item 10.B, file 26-048).
• City Council minutes, May 12, 2026: https://legistar2.granicus.com/coloradosprings/meetings/2026/5/2784_M_City_Council_26-05-12_Meeting_Minutes.pdf (item 4A.A, Signed Ordinance 26-18).

Log

2026-05-12 - City Council

Second presentation; finally passed on the Consent Calendar.

2026-04-28 - City Council

New Business item 10.B; Fire Marshal presentation, questions on existing homes, HOAs and insurance; approved on first reading 8-0-0-1.