As of July 1, 2026, the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code is in effect across mapped wildland-urban interface areas of the state, including much of El Paso County. If your home is in a mapped area and you're replacing your roof, building an addition, or repairing major storm damage, your new roof must meet the strictest fire rating there is.
Lianro Metal Roofs installs stone coated steel roofing across the Pikes Peak region. Here's what the new code means for you in plain English, and why we think stone coated steel is the smartest way to meet it.
After the Marshall Fire destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County in 2021, the Colorado legislature passed Senate Bill 23-166, creating a state Wildfire Resiliency Code Board. That board adopted Colorado's first statewide wildfire building code in July 2025. Local governments had until April 1, 2026 to adopt it (or something at least as strict), and the requirements took effect on July 1, 2026.
The code has one goal: stop homes from catching fire from wind-blown embers, radiant heat and direct flame. It does this in two ways: hardening the structure (roof, vents, siding, windows, decks) and managing the land around it (especially the first five feet).
The state mapped every area where homes meet grass, brush or forest, the wildland-urban interface (WUI), and assigned each a fire intensity rating:
| Fire intensity on the map | Code class that applies | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Class 1 | Baseline hardening: Class A roof, noncombustible gutters, ember-resistant vents, and a noncombustible zone within 5 feet of the home. |
| Moderate or High | Class 2 | Everything in Class 1, plus stricter rules for eaves, exterior walls, windows, decks and fencing. |
In the Colorado Springs area, that includes wooded neighborhoods on the west side and in Black Forest, and under the City of Colorado Springs' 2026 update, grassland areas on the eastern edge of the city as well. Grass fires move fast, and fire officials are treating them seriously.
Find your home: use the state's interactive Fire Intensity Classification map.
Whether your property is Class 1 or Class 2, the code requires a roof covering or roof assembly rated Class A under ASTM E108 / UL 790. That's the highest fire rating a roof can earn. It means the roof has been tested against a severe fire exposure, including a burning brand (a flaming block of wood) set on the roof, flame spread across the surface, and intermittent flame.
The code also looks at the details where fires actually get in:
You don't have to tear off a roof that's in good shape. The code applies to new homes and to existing homes when certain work is done:
Here's the part that catches people off guard: a hailstorm can make this decision for you. As the Colorado Springs Gazette explained this spring, a hail-damaged roof in the WUI needing more than 25% of its area repaired will need to be completely replaced if the original materials don't meet the new standards. On the Front Range, where hail is a yearly event, choosing a roof that survives hail is now also a code strategy.
Wildfire code compliance is checked at permit and inspection. Enforcement is handled locally, by your city, county building department or fire protection district. For example, Black Forest Fire Rescue now charges $100 for a Class 1 inspection, $300 for a Class 2 inspection, and $200 for a re-inspection. Rules and fees vary by jurisdiction, even inside El Paso County, so always confirm with your local authority. Lianro pulls the permit when one is required and handles the paperwork.
The code requires a noncombustible zone within 5 feet of your home: rock, gravel, pavers or concrete instead of wood mulch, woody shrubs and debris. Fences within 8 feet of the house must be noncombustible. Embers pile up against the house and in gutters, and a fire-resistant roof works best with a clean perimeter.
Several roofing materials can meet Class A. But homeowners in El Paso County don't just face wildfire. They face hail, high wind and heavy snow, often in the same year. That is why we believe stone coated steel is the best all-around choice.
The Unified Steel® stone coated steel system we install, made by Westlake Royal Roofing, carries a Class A fire rating when installed with the manufacturer's designated underlayment. Steel doesn't burn. Embers that land on it can't ignite it the way they can ignite wood shake or the asphalt in a shingle.
Stone coated steel panels are profiled to look like shake, tile or slate, which means the new code's profiled-roof rules apply. Lianro installs the manufacturer-specified Class A assembly, including the designated underlayment, so embers can't get into the space beneath the panels. We pair it with metal valleys and metal gutters, and we document every piece for your inspector and insurer.
Unified Steel carries a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, the highest available, and was the first stone coated steel roof in the U.S. to earn a Very Severe Hail (VSH) rating under FM 4473. Fewer damaged roofs mean fewer surprise code-triggered replacements, and a roof that keeps its fire protection long after the storm has passed.
| Stone coated steel | Class A asphalt shingles | Standing seam metal | Wood shake | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A fire rating | Yes (with designated assembly) | Yes (rated systems) | Yes (rated assemblies) | Generally no; banned in many WUI areas |
| Burns? | No, steel | Asphalt is combustible | No, steel | Yes |
| Hail (UL 2218) | Class 4 + FM VSH | Class 4 only on impact-rated lines | Can dent; varies by gauge | Poor |
| Typical lifespan | 50+ years | 15 to 30 years (often less in Colorado) | 40 to 70 years | 20 to 30 years |
| Looks | Shake, tile, slate, shingle | Shingle | Modern panel | Natural wood |
No. The code isn't retroactive. It applies when you replace 25% or more of your roof, replace 25% or more of your exterior walls, add 500 square feet or more, or build new in a mapped area.
Look up your address on the state's Fire Intensity Classification map, or call us. We'll check it as part of your free assessment.
If your home is in a mapped area and more than 25% of the roof needs repair or replacement, the whole roof must meet the new standards, including a Class A rating. Talk to your insurance adjuster about ordinance-or-law coverage for code upgrades.
Not always. The rating applies to the whole tested assembly. Stone coated steel is Class A when installed with the manufacturer's designated underlayment, and that's exactly how Lianro installs it.
It may. Colorado law now requires insurers using wildfire risk models to account for mitigation such as a Class A roof, or to offer discounts for it. Results vary by carrier. Ask your agent, and we'll give you the documentation you need.
Sometimes, depending on local code and the condition of your roof deck. For code-triggered reroofs in the WUI, we will recommend the approach that keeps your Class A assembly and permit on solid ground.
It depends on where you live. Cities, the regional building department and fire protection districts all play a role. Lianro pulls the permit and coordinates inspections for you.
Wildfire, hail and wind aren't going away. The new code sets the minimum. Stone coated steel goes well beyond it. Schedule a free roof assessment and we'll check your property against the state map, inspect your roof, and show you what a code-ready, Class A stone coated steel roof would look like on your home. Call Lianro Metal Roofs at 719-481-8026, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, or send us a message.
This page is general information about the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, not legal or code-compliance advice. Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Confirm specifics with your local building department or fire protection district.
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