Colorado wildfire victims hit 'green' building code hurdle

Some homeowners recovering from a devastating wildfire near Denver late last year say they could have to pay much more to rebuild because of environmentally sustainable construction standards passed shortly before the blaze

DENVER -- Some homeowners recovering from Colorado's most destructive wildfire in history, which decimated entire neighborhoods near Denver late last year, say they could end up paying tens of thousands of dollars more to rebuild because of environmentally sustainable construction standards passed shortly before the blaze.

Now they want the Louisville City Council to waive the more-stringent codes — adopted in October to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change — for residents whose homes were destroyed in the Dec. 30 wildfire.

The blaze driven by winds topping 100 mph (161 kph) ripped through the area, destroying 1,084 homes, including 550 in Louisville, and causing more than half a billion dollars in damage.

A group of more than 100 residents opposed to the codes rallied outside Louisville City Hall on Sunday, and the City Council could discuss the situation Tuesday.