Colorado SB 23-166 (2023): Establishment of a Wildfire Resiliency Code Board
Enacted in May 2023, Colorado’s SB 23-166 (Act) established a Wildfire Resiliency Code Board (WRCB) in response to worsening wildfires in the state. The WRCB was tasked with the goal of ensuring “that Colorado communities are safer from and more resilient to wildfires by reducing the risk to people and property through the adoption of statewide codes and standards.” The standards are centered around structural hardening and reducing wildfire risk, informed by the best available practices. The legislature found that the frequency and intensity of wildfires threatening the state were increasing, with the risk to people and communities increasing alongside.
Positioned under the Department of Public Safety, the WRCB is composed of 21 voting members with government or industry qualifications and is responsible for establishing model codes and standards concerning wildfire resilience. Their focus extends to:
- Determining the coverage of the wildland-urban infrastructure (WUI) throughout the state;
- Assessing best practices for reducing risks associated with wildfires and adopting corresponding standards;
- Identifying hazards and vulnerabilities to which the codes apply; and
- Establishing a petition process for applicable jurisdictions to challenge the WRCB’s decisionmaking and criteria for assessing an appeal.
Jurisdictions located within the WUI–where human development and wild vegetation overlap–are required to meet or exceed the standards set forth in the WRCB codes within three months of adoption. In order to incorporate these standards, the Act also establishes a cash fund to assist jurisdictions with implementation of the Act’s provisions. The WRCB adopted the Wildfire Resilience Code in 2025.
Publication Date: May 12, 2023
Related Organizations:
- State of Colorado
Related Resources:
Sectors:
Resource Category:
Resource Types:
- Laws
States Affected:
Impacts:
- Wildfires
