Gov. John Hickenlooper\u2019s wildfire task force recommended a statewide model building code to reduce fire danger, with firefighters insistent on the importance of a state standard. But local governments and construction lobbyists didn\u2019t like it, and legislators showed Wednesday they have little appetite for the idea.<\/p>\n
Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, wanted the Wildfire Matters Review Committee to propose the bill for introduction in January. But she withdrew the bill, citing a lack of votes.<\/p>\n
Levy, who is stepping down from the Legislature this fall, said she couldn\u2019t find interest among other committee members.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s someone who has the time or willingness to sponsor the bill,\u201d Levy said.<\/p>\n
Levy said she hopes with revisions, the bill could still move forward in 2014. She dismissed arguments that it would violate local control.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that argument no longer really holds sway, given what we know about wildfire not respecting property boundaries,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Legislature\u2019s wildfire committee did approve several other bills for introduction Wednesday, including a bill by Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, to provide death benefits to seasonal wildland firefighters who are killed in the line of duty in Colorado.<\/p>\n
The panel also voted to pursue bills to let counties ban agricultural burns on red flag days and to enhance a tax benefit for people who clear overgrowth from their property.<\/p>\n