It's brand new
Enforcement started July 1, 2026. Plenty of roofers are still quoting jobs the way they did last year, with vinyl gutters and no ember-blocking details.
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New Colorado law
Colorado's new wildfire roofing code: what every homeowner needs to know
If your home is in a mapped wildfire area, your next roof has to meet the state's Wildfire Resiliency Code. Here's what changed, how the 25% rule works, and why the roofer you hire matters more than ever.
What changed
A new statewide code, now enforced
For years, wildfire building rules in Colorado were a patchwork. In 2023 the legislature created a statewide Wildfire Resiliency Code Board, and its code now applies to homes in mapped wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas across the state.
July 1, 2025State code adopted
The Wildfire Resiliency Code Board adopted the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, based on the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
April 1, 2026Local adoption deadline
Cities and counties with WUI areas had to adopt the code, or a version at least as strict, with their own maps and amendments.
July 1, 2026Enforcement begins
Building departments now check roofs, gutters and eaves in mapped areas when a permit is pulled for new work.
The rule most homeowners have never heard of
The 25% rule
Replace or repair 25% or more of your roof's surface, and the whole roof has to be brought up to the wildfire code, not just the part you're fixing.
Full hail replacement100% of the roof. The entire new roof must meet the code for your area.
Two slopes of a four-slope roofAbout 50%. The whole roof, including the slopes you weren't touching, must meet the code.
A few missing shinglesWell under 25%. A repair, but we still use Class A materials so you're ready later.
What the code requires
Class 1 and Class 2 wildfire areas
The state map sorts WUI areas by fire intensity: Class 1 (lower) and Class 2 (moderate to high). Both have roof requirements. Class 2 adds more.
| Requirement | Class 1 | Class 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Class A fire-rated roof covering | Required | Required |
| Ember-blocking at gaps under tile and metal profiles | Required | Required |
| Noncombustible gutters and downspouts (no vinyl) | Required | Required |
| Protected eaves and soffits | Not required | Required |
Why it matters who you hire
Why many roofers miss it
This code is new, and it isn't the same everywhere. Here's where homeowners get hurt.
It changes town to town
Cities and counties adopt their own maps and amendments. Jefferson County and Boulder, for example, have their own WUI rules. A roofer who doesn't check your address can easily get it wrong.
Storm crews come from out of state
After a big hailstorm, out-of-state crews flood the Front Range. They may not know Colorado's new code exists, and they're often gone before an inspection fails.
Insurance estimates leave it out
Adjusters usually write a like-for-like estimate. If no one documents the code upgrades and submits them, you can end up paying for them yourself, or paying to redo the roof.
Around the Denver metro
Who uses which wildfire map
The state map is the starting point, but several counties and cities around Denver adopted their own maps or versions of the code. Here's where things stand for the areas we serve.
| Area | Map or rules used | Who's affected |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Jefferson County (Evergreen, Conifer, Ken Caryl, Morrison area) | Jefferson County WUI Overlay District map | Mapped Class 1 and Class 2 areas |
| Unincorporated Boulder County | Boulder County Wildfire Zones 1, 2 and 3 | All of unincorporated Boulder County |
| City of Boulder | City WUI code and map | About 16,000 homes after the 2025 expansion |
| Clear Creek County | County wildfire requirements | Most of the county |
| Gilpin County | County-adopted WUI map | Most of the county |
| Unincorporated Douglas County | County version of the state code | Areas outside fire protection districts; fire districts set their own |
| Unincorporated Arapahoe County | State code | Limited areas outside fire protection districts |
| Adams County, Broomfield and other cities | State map | Mapped pockets near open space and grassland |
Rules are still settling as towns finish adoption, so we confirm with the local building department on every permit. Check your address.
Protect yourself
5 questions to ask any roofer
- Is my home in a Class 1 or Class 2 wildfire area? A good roofer checks your address before writing the estimate.
- Is the roof system you're quoting Class A rated? Ask for the manufacturer's spec sheet.
- Are the gutters and downspouts metal? Vinyl doesn't meet the code.
- Will you pull the permit and pass the inspection? Get it in writing.
- Will you submit the code upgrades to my insurance? Ordinance or law coverage often pays for them.
Questions
Wildfire roofing code FAQ
What is Colorado's Wildfire Resiliency Code?
It's a statewide building code for homes in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where neighborhoods meet grass, brush and forest. The state Wildfire Resiliency Code Board adopted it on July 1, 2025, based on the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. Local governments had to adopt it by April 1, 2026 and enforce it by July 1, 2026.
What is the 25% rule for roofs?
If you replace or repair 25% or more of your roof's surface area, the entire roof has to be brought up to the wildfire code's requirements for new construction. A full hail replacement always crosses that line, and so can a large repair on a smaller roof.
What does the code require for a roof?
In both Class 1 and Class 2 areas: a Class A fire-rated roof covering, ember-blocking at any gaps under tile or metal roof profiles, and noncombustible gutters and downspouts. Class 2 (moderate to high fire intensity) areas also require protected eaves and soffits.
How do I know if my home is in a wildfire code area?
Use our free WUI check at CharityRoofs.com/wui-check. It looks your address up on the official 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Map. Some cities and counties use their own maps or amendments, so we always confirm with the local building department when we pull the permit.
Will insurance pay for wildfire code upgrades?
Often, yes. Many homeowner policies include ordinance or law coverage, which pays for code-required upgrades when a covered loss like hail damages your roof. The code items have to be documented and submitted to your insurer, ideally before the roof goes on.
Are regular asphalt shingles Class A?
Most modern fiberglass asphalt shingles from major manufacturers are Class A fire rated as a complete system. Wood shakes usually are not, and tile and metal roofs need their gaps blocked against embers. Plastic or vinyl gutters do not meet the code.
Sources
- Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: Wildfire Resiliency Code Board
- 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Map
- City of Lone Tree: Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code
- Town of Superior: Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code
- Jefferson County: Wildfire Resilience
- Boulder County: Ignition Resistant Construction (B37)
- Broomfield: 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code FAQs
General information for Colorado homeowners, not legal advice. Your local building department's adopted code controls.
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