SB23-166 Summary

• Creates a 21-member Wildfire Resiliency Code Board as a Type 2 entity within the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to develop statewide wildfire resiliency codes and standards.

• Board must adopt minimum codes for structure hardening and defensible space by July 1, 2025, and update them every three years; codes apply to new construction and alterations affecting 25% or more of exterior surfaces in the wildland-urban interface.

• Requires all governing bodies with jurisdiction in the wildland-urban interface to adopt codes meeting or exceeding board standards within three months of board adoption.

• Establishes a Wildfire Resiliency Code Board Cash Fund with an initial $250,000 appropriation from the general fund on July 1, 2023, and provides $259,302 in total appropriations for fiscal year 2023-24 for implementation.

• Board must hold at least three statewide public hearings (including one west of Continental Divide and one east of Continental Divide) before adopting codes; governing bodies may petition for modifications to codes within their jurisdictions.