What is Defensible Space?

Defensible Space is the area around a home (or structure) that has been modified to reduce fire hazard by creating space between potential fuel sources. The two primary determinants of a home’s ability to survive a wildfire include the structure’s ignitability and the quality of the surrounding defensible space. Together, these two factors create a concept called the home ignition zone, or HIZ. It includes the structure and the space immediately surrounding it.

Creating Defensible Space involves establishing a series of zones. 

Zone 1: 0-5 feet from home
The area nearest the home. This zone requires the most vigilant work in order to reduce or eliminate ember ignition and direct flame contact with your home.

Zone 2: 5-30 feet from home
The area transitioning away from the home where fuels should be reduced. This zone is designed to minimize a fire’s intensity and its ability to spread while significantly reducing the likelihood a Zone 2 structure ignites because of radiant heat. 

Zone 3: 30-100 feet from home (or to property line)
The area farthest from the home. Efforts in this zone are focused on ways to keep fire on the ground and to get fire that may be active in tree crowns (crown fire) to move to the ground (surface fire), where it will be less intense and easier to control. 

Develop these zones around each building on your property, including detached garages, storage buildings, barns and other structures. Read more about your Home Ignition Zone by clicking HERE. 

Best Practices to reduce structural ignitability:

• Ensure the roof has a Class A fire rating
• Remove all leaves, needles and other debris from all decks, roofs and gutters
• Screen attic, roof, eaves and foundation vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh
• Screen or wall-in stilt foundations and decks with 1/8-inch metal mesh
• Keep areas on top of and under decks clear of combustible material. 
• Use tempered glass for windows; two or more panes are recommended
• Create 6 inches of vertical clearance between the ground and home siding
• Replace combustible fencing or gates, at least within 5 feet of the home.
• Grass mowed to a minimum of four inches. 
• Limb up the bottom 1/3 of trees. Trim dead branches and remove trees with dead tops. 

Colorado Income Tax Subtraction for Wildfire Mitigation Measures

Colorado allows an income tax subtraction for wildfire mitigation measures performed on property located in Colorado. For tax years 2023 through 2025, an income tax credit is also allowed for performing wildlife mitigation measures. Both the subtraction and the credit are allowed to qualifying taxpayers who incur actual out-of-pocket expenses for wildfire mitigation measures on their property. A taxpayer who meets all applicable requirements may claim both the subtraction and the credit for the costs they incur in performing wildfire mitigation measures.

HB24-1091 Fire-Hardened Building Materials in Real Property

Bill Summary: The act generally prohibits covenants and other restrictions that disallow the installation, use, or maintenance of fire-hardened building materials in residential real property, including in common interest communities. However, the act allows a unit owners' association of a common interest community to develop reasonable standards regarding the design, dimensions, placement, or external appearance of fire-hardened building materials used for fencing within the community.