The Advocate Newletter | March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

In this edition:

Lakewood Will Hold Special Election Regarding City Zoning Code on April 7th

On April 7, voters in Lakewood will decide whether to uphold the city’s newly adopted zoning code in a special election.

The Lakewood City Council approved the updates after years of community input to address housing affordability. The changes allow more “missing middle” housing types - such as duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, accessory dwelling units, and cottage courts - and revise outdated lot size requirements to provide greater flexibility and expand attainable homeownership opportunities.

Opposition groups, including Lakewood Citizens Alliance and Lakewood Stronger Together, successfully petitioned to place four ballot initiatives before voters to repeal the zoning code changes.

In response, residents formed Make Lakewood Livable to defend the code. The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver has both endorsed and is actively supporting this campaign. The National Association of Home Builders has also made a significant contribution to help combat the ballot initiative. The outcome of the April 7 vote will determine whether the city’s housing reforms move forward.

Castle Rock Sign Ordinance Update Headed to Town Council on March 24th

A proposed update to signage regulations in Castle Rock is expected to go before the Castle Rock Town Council for consideration later this month.

Over the past two years, local builders have expressed concerns about increased enforcement of the Town’s existing sales-signage regulations, particularly restrictions on signage in the public right-of-way, off-premise signs, and wind signs such as flutter flags and balloons. While these rules have been part of the municipal code for more than 20 years, enforcement intensified in 2024 following a rise in complaints and direction from Town Council. The Town also opted not to renew its long-standing Sign Plaza program, further limiting marketing and wayfinding options for builders.

In response, the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver has met multiple times with Town leadership and Council members to identify a workable path forward. The issue was formally heard by the full Council last June, and since then the HBA has worked closely with Town staff and Fusion Signs to develop a draft ordinance that would establish a 12-month pilot wayfinding program.

The HBA is hopeful the new program will be approved later this month and is actively engaging with Town Council and staff to ensure its long-term success.

Erie To Reconsider Residential Fire Sprinkler Mandate on March 24th

As housing affordability challenges continue across the Front Range, the Town of Erie is revisiting its local fire sprinkler mandate for new residential construction.

Erie Town Council held an initial hearing on the issue late last year and is expected to review the requirement again later this month. The discussion comes amid rising development-related costs that are impacting both builders and prospective homebuyers.

Builders estimate the cost of installing residential sprinkler systems averages $13,500 per home, with total homeowner costs reaching approximately $15,000 once design, permitting, and inspection expenses are included. These costs are layered on top of other recent increases, including Erie’s approval of a $20,397 hike in water tap and raw water dedication fees in December 2024.

At the same time, Erie has experienced a 45% decline in new residential permits, raising concerns about housing supply and overall affordability in the community.

The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver continues to engage in the conversation, emphasizing the significant cost implications of additional mandates while noting that Colorado’s existing building codes already provide strong fire-safety standards.

Action Needed on State Energy Code and WUI Implementation

Take Action: Ask your local government to adopt 2024 ICC Codes by July 1

CAHB is advising local home builder associations to encourage municipalities planning to adopt the 2024 ICC codes to do so before July 1. After that date, any jurisdiction adopting or updating a building code must also adopt the Model Low Energy and Carbon Code (MLECC) or a more stringent standard - regardless of whether the update is energy-related.

For communities already planning to move to the 2024 ICC codes, adopting before the deadline allows them to avoid automatically triggering the state energy code requirement. Local associations should work with city and county staff and elected officials to ensure decision-makers understand the timing implications.

For inquiries related to this from outside the Denver Metro area, please contact Ted Leighty - ted@hbacolorado.com. For Denver Metro area questions, please contact Albert Bozoki - abozoki@hbadenver.com.

CAHB working on legislation to delay WUI Code implementation

Local governments across the state are struggling to meet the April 1 deadline to adopt the state’s WUI code. We are encouraging them to contact their legislative delegations to request an extension. Local associations and HBA members should work with city and county staff and elected officials to educate them about the WUI code concerns.

CAHB is part of a growing coalition working to refine the code to align with the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) and address unintended consequences that are disrupting the supply chain and increasing building costs.

The code significantly departs from established national wildfire standards and is the first U.S. wildfire resiliency code not aligned with IWUIC. It creates inconsistencies in defensible space requirements, structure hardening philosophy, and material performance criteria. The code removes 37% of siding products from the market and applies inconsistent material prohibitions, allowing some combustible materials while banning others with comparable wildfire resistance, without adequately recognizing the role of wall assembly and defensible space in wildfire resiliency.

Here are (1) a Fact Sheet and (2) the Coalition Requested Changes - these were developed to help policy makers and the Wildfire Resiliency Code Board (WRCB) understand the concerns being raised and the reasonable suggested solutions, which will: strengthen the code, ensure no inconsistencies, and continue to promote wildfire resiliency. We are working on a comprehensive set of recommendations for modifications to the CWRC to better align with IWUIC and address the problems we have identified.

Our policy request is to:

• Delay the local government implementation deadline to allow for refinement of the code to ensure alignment with IWUIC and address unintended consequences.
• Provide an immediate mechanism to revisit the policy, rather than waiting for the 3-year review.
• Ensure policy is a balanced approach that thoroughly weighs benefits and costs.
• Provide a mechanism for appeal - for products and other interested parties.
• The significance of this policy change warrants reporting to the Legislature on progress during the annual SMART Act hearings.

Erie To Reconsider Residential Fire Sprinkler Mandate on March 24th

The City and County of Denver is launching an open and collaborative process to update the Denver Energy Code. This update is an important step in supporting Denver’s long‑term climate goals, strengthening the resilience and performance of our buildings, and providing clarity and predictability for stakeholders building, investing, and working in the City.

The updated Denver Energy Code will consist of local amendments to the Colorado Model Low Energy and Carbon Code (LECC), with amendments carried forward from the 2025 Denver Energy Code. Potential amendments will be considered through a full public process.

Over the next year, there will be a number of opportunities for HBA members to participate through committee applications, subcommittees, public meetings, and draft reviews.

HBA CEO Ted Leighty was recently quoted in a Denver Gazette story about the upcoming process: Denver launches public process to update energy code, extending standards to single-family homes

Here are a few quick links for ways HBA members can get involved now:

• Apply to join a committee or subcommittee
• Sign up for project updates

HBA of Metro Denver Issue Tracker

Questions on what is happening in a specific city or county? The HBA is regularly monitoring the council and board activities in every political subdivision in the metro Denver area. Our Issue Tracker offers a great resource to learn about the issues being deliberated with links to agendas, packets and ordinances. The HBA of Metro Denver HBA Issue Tracker is available  to all members here.

HBA is looking for Members to Participate in Advocacy, Regulatory and Technical Committees in 2026

As a volunteer-driven organization, the HBA's Jobsite Safety Committee, Permitting Committee, Regulated Utilities Committee and Stormwater Management Committee help guide the HBA's events and activities throughout the year. Consider joining one, or more, if you want to build strong, long-lasting relationships and make a difference to your fellow HBA members, while sharpening your leadership skills. Please visit the HBA website for more information or reach out to Morgan Cullen if you are ready to participate.

Thank you to HBA's 2026 Organizational Partners:

Corporate Partners:

Contact Connie Dahl for more info on becoming an HBA Sponsor, or visit hbadenver.com/sponsorships for more information!