Wildfire Zones: Colorado Springs vs Manitou Springs
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Colorado Springs, CO and Manitou Springs, CO?
Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs have similar restriction levels.
Colorado Springs, CO
El Paso County
Large portions of western and northern Colorado Springs fall in Very High and Extreme wildfire hazard zones under the Colorado Springs Wildfire Hazard Identification Mapping. Mountain Shadows, Skyway, Broadmoor, Cedar Heights, Rockrimmon, and Black Forest adjacent areas are mapped WUI. Insurance carriers use these maps in underwriting and many carriers have non-renewed foothill policies since 2020.
View full Colorado Springs rules →Manitou Springs, CO
El Paso County
El Paso County enforces Wildland-Urban Interface defensible space requirements following the Waldo Canyon (2012) and Black Forest (2013) fires. 2018 IWUIC adopted. Zone 1 (0-30 ft), Zone 2 (30-100 ft), and Zone 3 (100-200 ft) treatments required in designated areas.
View full Manitou Springs rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Colorado Springs | Manitou Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Very High Zones | Mountain Shadows, Skyway, Cedar Heights | - |
| Construction Code | IWUIC ember and flame provisions | - |
| Required Features | Class A roof, ember-resistant vents | - |
| Insurance Impact | Carrier non-renewals common | - |
| Evacuation Plan | Ready Set Go enrollment | - |
| Code | - | 2018 IWUIC adopted |
| Zone 1 | - | 0-30 ft, remove all fuel |
| Zone 2 | - | 30-100 ft, reduce fuel |
| Roof | - | Class A required in WUI |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Colorado Springs FAQ
How do I find out if my Colorado Springs home is in a wildfire zone?
Use the Colorado Springs Wildfire Hazard Map on the Fire Department website or request a free home assessment from the CSFD Wildfire Mitigation team. Your real estate disclosure should identify WUI status.
Can my insurer drop my Colorado Springs home over wildfire risk?
Yes. Since 2020 several carriers have non-renewed foothill and WUI policies. Colorado's FAIR plan and specialty wildfire insurers like Rocky Mountain Insurance and Chubb serve this market at higher premiums.
Manitou Springs FAQ
Who enforces wildfire zones rules in El Paso County?
El Paso County's code enforcement division is responsible for fire ordinances. You can report violations or request information through the El Paso County government website or by calling the main municipal line.
What are typical penalties for violating wildfire zones rules?
Most El Paso County fire violations start with a written warning followed by escalating civil fines for repeat offenses. Specific dollar amounts and any criminal-misdemeanor exposure depend on the section of code; consult El Paso County's municipal code or staff for the current penalty schedule.
Compare other topics
See how Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool