The Buena Vista Board of Trustees adopted the state-mandated 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, amended the town’s water allocation policy, awarded a $143,000 street chipseal contract, and approved two airport resolutions at their March 24 regular meeting. The board also authorized a planning grant amendment, approved an encroachment request for a new Boys & Girls Club facility, and voted to send letters of support for two regional housing and elder care projects.
Wildfire Resiliency Code
The board adopted Ordinance 2026-07, incorporating the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code into Chapter 18 of the municipal code, ahead of a state-imposed April 1 deadline. The code establishes construction and structural standards for properties within the Wildland-Urban Interface, with most of Buena Vista falling outside the affected area. Portions of town are designated Class 1 (low) or Class 2 (medium) fire risk under the state-supplied map, with Class 2 carrying more extensive requirements covering exterior wall fire ratings, eave and vent specifications, and fencing restrictions within eight feet of structures.
Town staff noted that existing structures may continue as-is provided they do not constitute a danger, and that minor repairs affecting less than 25 percent of exterior wall surface area are exempt. The board approved the ordinance with one amendment, striking a sentence that would have applied Class 1 structural hardening requirements to all structures within town limits — a provision staff said would add construction cost without commensurate benefit given that most of town lies outside the WUI.
Trustees raised questions about the precision of the state-supplied hexagonal grid map, noting it can split individual properties between fire risk classes. Town staff said a ground-truthing process exists allowing property owners to contest their classification, and suggested the town consider commissioning its own map as a future strategic planning priority.
No public comment was offered during the hearing. One trustee noted the board had little practical choice in the matter, given the state mandate.
Water Allocation Policy
The board conducted its annual review of the town’s Water Allocation Policy and adopted Resolution 2026-25 with several amendments. Joel Benson, Senior Policy Advisor and Project Advocate, presented the changes, which included updated references to Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District agreements, a revised definition of “economic development” tying water allocation to the building permit stage rather than final subdivision plat, and the formal assignment of five newly available acre-feet of water to the emergency use category.
The amended policy also requires major subdivisions to draw no more than 90 percent of their water from the general development category, giving the town more flexibility to direct water toward affordable housing, long-term rentals, government use, and other priorities. A new water augmentation certificate protocol was added for annexation requests exceeding two single-family equivalents, requiring a minimum community benefit threshold and placing all associated fees — both one-time and recurring — on the petitioning property owner.
All new development projects will also be required to use waterwise landscaping, defined as drought-tolerant plants, smart irrigation, and xeriscaping, with an exception for functional turf approved by the Recreation Department or Public Works. A related code amendment to Chapter 15 was pulled from the agenda due to noticing issues and will return at a future meeting.
Boys & Girls Club Encroachment
The board approved Resolution 2026-24, granting a revocable encroachment license to the Boys & Girls Club of Chaffee County for permanent improvements in the public right-of-way adjacent to their planned new facility near the Community Center on East Main Street. The encroachments — an ADA ramp and retaining wall on the west side of the building and stairs on the east side, along with projecting entry canopies — remain entirely behind the sidewalk.
Planning Director Marika Kopp said all seven required findings for an encroachment permit were met, and recommended three conditions: a recorded revocable license agreement, the Boys & Girls Club naming the town as an additional insured, and final construction plan review to confirm no utility conflicts. Trustee Devin Rowe recused himself from the vote, citing his acceptance of a position with the Boys & Girls Club.
Airport Items
The board approved two airport resolutions by roll call vote. Resolution 2026-26 authorizes a professional services agreement with Dibble Engineering for design and construction of a new Automated Weather Observing System at the Central Colorado Regional Airport, funded by $300,000 in CDOT grant funds and a proposed $25,000 additional overmatch, with a $30,000 local match still to be identified within the airport budget. Resolution 2026-27 transfers the town’s FY 2025 and FY 2026 federal airport entitlement funds to La Junta Municipal Airport, which has a declared project need. The funds are scheduled to return to Buena Vista in 2027.
Planning Grant and Streets
The board authorized Mayor Libby Fay to sign a letter requesting a DOLA Local Planning Capacity grant amendment to redirect $50,000 in expedited review incentive funds toward a Housing Action Plan consultant, required by state law by January 1, 2028. The amendment also reallocates $36,000 in grant savings from development review software procurement toward consultant services to align the town’s codes, checklists, and infrastructure manual.
The board also approved Resolution 2026-28, awarding a chipseal contract to A-1 Chipseal Company for $143,000 — under the budgeted $180,000 — for 2026 street resurfacing. Public Works Director Shawn Williams said several targeted streets have not been chipsealed in over 20 years, and that staff is coordinating the project with future water main replacement planning to avoid repaving streets slated for underground work.
Letters of Support and Housing Discussion
The board approved two letters of support signed by Mayor Fay: one to federal officials supporting the Places to Age Assisted Living and Memory Care project in Salida, a shovel-ready development on donated land serving Chaffee County’s aging population; and one to U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen supporting a $2 million HUD grant request by Chaffee County for manufactured home park replacement units at a park near Johnson Village.
The vote prompted a brief discussion among trustees about whether Buena Vista should revisit its own restrictions on manufactured housing, with one trustee calling it among the most affordable housing available and suggesting the topic be added to annual planning discussions.
Work Session and Public Comment
The meeting opened with a 6:00 p.m. work session in which Chaffee County Building and Safety staff presented the county’s proposed Preferred Electric Code Amendment, which would incentivize all-electric new construction through adjusted energy efficiency credits without banning gas or fossil fuels. No action was taken. A public hearing on the item, tentatively set for April 14, may be delayed pending the county’s own adoption timeline.
During public comment, Randy Crane, a propane dealer, argued that electricity costs approximately 42 percent more than natural gas to heat a home based on U.S. Department of Energy data, and raised concerns that the credit structure effectively penalizes fossil fuel users. Airport employee Brian Dunphy proposed leasing two ground-floor airport offices for a flight simulation startup, Ark Aviation, and distributed a business plan for board review.
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