Frost Depth & Snow Load in Denver, CO (2026)
3 verified frost depth & snow load rules for Denver, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Frost Line Depth
Denver sets its frost line at 36 inches below finished grade, stated both in the residential design criteria table and as a flat declaration in the commercial code.
Denver Frost Line Depth: 36 Inches Below Grade
Some Restrictions2025 Denver Residential Code, Table R301.2; 2025 Denver Commercial Building Code Section 1809.5
Table R301.2 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA, and footnotes, is replaced as follows: TABLE R301.2 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA — GROUND SNOW LOAD 43 psf-c; Speed (mph) 115/125/140; Topographic effects No; Special wind region Yes; Wind-borne debris zone No; SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY B; Weathering Severe; Frost line depth 36 inches; Termite Slight/Mod. [Denver Commercial Building...
Ground Snow Load
Denver's 2025 code raised the ground snow load from 35 psf to 43 psf and, for the first time, lets designers look up a lower site-specific value instead of using the citywide default.
Denver Ground Snow Load: 43 psf, Up From 35
Significant Restrictions2025 Denver Residential Code, Table R301.2 and footnote c
TABLE R301.2 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA — GROUND SNOW LOAD 43 psf-c. Footnote c. Location-specific ground snow load values (using risk category II) provided in the Ground Snow Load Geodatabase of geocoded design ground snow load values, which can be accessed at the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool at https://asce7hazardtool.online, shall be permitted. [Significant Changes to Denver Amendments 20...
Building Design Criteria
Denver's design criteria table sets seismic category B, Severe weathering and three wind speeds by risk category, and notably does not require ice barrier underlayment, unlike most snow-belt jurisdictions.
Denver Building Design Criteria for Homes
Some Restrictions2025 Denver Residential Code, Table R301.2
TABLE R301.2 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA — WIND DESIGN Speed (mph) 115/125/140; Topographic effects No; Special wind region Yes; Wind-borne debris zone No; SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY B; SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM Weathering Severe, Frost line depth 36 inches, Termite Slight/Mod; WINTER DESIGN TEMP 1°F; ICE BARRIER UNDERLAYMENT REQUIRED No; AIR FREEZING INDEX 712; MEAN ANNUAL TEMP 40-45. MA...