safety
Aspen’s new wildfire code could increase some costs
By Beau Toepfer Follow
btoepfer@aspentimes.com at Aspen Times
· June 26, 2026
· 4 min read
Aspen ’s recently adopted wildfire resilience code is slightly increasing the costs of new developments and some renovations that include square footage expansion, according to contractors and architects.
Bonnie Muhigirwa, Aspen’s chief building official, noted that while the city was consideri...
Key takeaway Chris Madigan, the owner of a general contracting firm Madigan + Company, said that a special liner is added to the exterior walls of houses that helps protect from a fire igniting the entire house.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The new wildfire resilience code in Aspen may have a significant impact on homeowners and builders in the area, particularly when it comes to renovations that add square footage to existing homes. The requirement to "harden" the siding and bring the entire building up to code when exceeding a certain threshold of square footage increase could lead to substantial costs. This is especially relevant in Aspen, where the risk of wildfire is a persistent concern due to its location in the dry mountains. The city's efforts to mitigate this risk through stricter building codes may be necessary, but they also underscore the need for a robust supply chain of fire-resistant materials. As the demand for these materials increases, local contractors and homeowners will be watching to see if manufacturers can keep up, and if the costs of compliance will be manageable for those looking to build or renovate in Aspen.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Aspen’s recently adopted wildfire resilience code is slightly increasing the costs of new developments and some renovations that include square footage expansion, according to contractors and architects.
Bonnie Muhigirwa, Aspen’s chief building official, noted that while the city was consideri...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Beau Toepfer Follow
btoepfer@aspentimes.com at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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