Council Postpones Vote On Fire Mitigation Ordinance

The Colorado Springs City Council postpones a vote on an Emergency Ordinance regarding fire mitigation in the Mountain Shadows area.

Fire Marshall Brett Lacey presented the proposed ordinance that would create new rules for homeowners rebuilding after the Waldo Canyon fire. Some of the code changes include not having certain types of trees near homes and only using certain types of building materials.

Residents at the meeting spoke passionately about why they felt the ordinance would only hinder the building process, and that the city should not rush to a decision based on fear.

Dr. Mary Harrow lost her home, and told council that no amount of code changes could have stopped something like the Waldo Canyon fire.

“There is nothing you can do. It is done. The emergency is over. Let us rebuild with the same damn stuff we had. I had a fire resistant house, I had stucco, I had a concrete roof, I mitigated twice a year. I don’t care what you do, it was a fire storm,” said Harrow.

Council will vote on the ordinance in two weeks. A new ordinance is also set to come forward at some point that would be similar to the new fire rules for Mountain Shadows, but it would cover a larger portion of the city.