CO lawmakers won’t pursue building code for fires

Colorado lawmakers looking ahead to the next fire season after a historic year are shying away from statewide building requirements. Instead, they’re considering tax credits to encourage mitigation and more assistance to firefighters.

Lawmakers say opposition from municipalities led to a reluctance to pursue statewide building policies.

A committee of lawmakers studying wildfire matters is proposing tax credits to help cover homeowners’ mitigation costs, and a grant program to help firefighters buy better equipment. Lawmakers also want legislation to pay $10,000 to the families of seasonal firefighters in case of a death to cover burial expenses.

Legislative leaders meeting Thursday will decide whether those bills should be introduced during the session that begins in January.