WUI Code in a Nutshell

WUI Code in a Nutshell

Developers met with the Grand Junction Fire Department to on June 17 th to learn how to comply
with the new Wildland-Urban Interface Code which became effective July 1, 2026. Here are
some of the salient points from that meeting:

 The code will be administered by the City of Grand Junction, Mesa County, Lower Valley
and Palisade.

 Ground truthing will be handled individually by those entities

 GJFD will require a third party assessment by someone with credentials (the acceptable
credentials is pretty broad). GJFD is compiling a vetted list of individuals that can do the
assessment.

 Independent assessment will consider fuels, topography, weather. There a better
likelihood of a downgrade in zone (color) for properties on the borders of the zone map

 The WUI map is now a layer on the City’s GIS system

 Mesa County Building Department will handle compliance with structure requirements

 GJFD will handle landscaping plans and clearance from structures

 It will be important to notify GJFD for an inspection as it will be separate from building
department inspections

 For more guidance on the process with GJFD go to Microsoft Word – Colorado Wildfire
Resiliency Code Guidence Document_vJune 11 2026_DRAFT STAMP.docx

On the code requirements themselves:
 If your property is in one of the zones (yellow, orange, red) WUI Codes are in full effect
if:

1. You are building a new structure or
2. Adding 500 s.f. to an existing structure
    The code will only apply to new construction and additions. It does not apply to the
   existing structure. If replacing a roof, it applies to the roof only. If building an addition,
   only the addition must comply with the standards (you don’t have to replace all the
   windows in the entire structure with tempered glass required in Zone 2…only the
   windows in the addition)
    Zone 1 (Low Risk) Requirements are relatively easy to comply with and apply material
   hardening standards to roofing, gutters, vents, structure ignition zone (0-5 feet), signage,
   retaining walls and fencing.
    Zones 2 and 3 (moderate to high risk) include all of the standards from the Yellow Zone
   will additional standards for exterior walls and windows, including tempered glass,
   decking exterior doors, structure ignition Zone 2 (5 to 30 ft) and Zone 3 (30 to 100 ft.)
    A summary of the standards can be found at Copy of ��Colorado Wildfire Resiliency
   Code: Summary_BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS
   To additional resources that may prove helpful are:
   Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code | Mesa County
   2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Map