Salida City Council passes first reading of electric-preferred energy code amendment, sets 15 September public hearing

Salida City Council approved a first reading of proposed electric-preferred amendments to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) on 18 August 2026, passing 4-2 and scheduling a public hearing for 15 September 2026. The vote makes Salida the second jurisdiction in Chaffee County, Colorado, to advance the amendment after the Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) adopted it unanimously on 19 May 2026^[1].

The amendment is a municipal-level action. It binds new residential and commercial construction permitted within Salida's incorporated limits. No effective date has been confirmed pending the outcome of the 15 September public hearing and a second reading vote.

What the amendment does

Ordinance 2026-01, as adopted at the county level, amends the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code to add electric-preferred provisions. The code awards credits to builders who install heat pumps, electric water heaters, and other high-efficiency equipment; builders must accumulate a minimum number of credits to satisfy the code.

The amendment is intended to incentivize all-electric construction in new homes through a system of stricter efficiency requirements, additional energy-efficiency credits for mixed-fuel buildings, and "electric-ready" infrastructure requirements that require buildings to be easily convertible to all-electric.

If adopted, the electric-preferred amendment would incentivize all-electric construction. It would not mandate the use of electric. Gas would remain an option, with a focus on greater efficiency.

Builders and mechanical contractors working in Salida should note that the credit structure - not a fuel ban - is the operative mechanism. The authority having jurisdiction determines how credits are applied on a permit-by-permit basis.

The county picture

Chaffee County Chief Building Official Chad Chadwick has discussed difficulties getting the county's municipalities to align with the electric-preferred code the county adopted. At this time, Salida and the county have agreed on a set of standards, but Buena Vista and Poncha Springs are the holdout municipalities. "At this time, it looks like if we do adopt electric-preferred, it might just be in unincorporated Chaffee and Salida," Chadwick said.

If that is the case, Chadwick said the county would revert to the originally proposed credit numbers for the electric-preferred code instead of the amended numbers. The amended numbers were altered in an effort to bring Poncha Springs and Buena Vista on board.

The Buena Vista Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to reject the county's electric-preferred amendment on 28 May 2026, one week after the BoCC adopted it. Two public comments before the Buena Vista public hearing urged trustees not to adopt the code, citing affordability and diversity of options for homeowners. An Atmos Energy representative also spoke against the code during the public hearing.

State mandate context

Colorado House Bill 22-1362 goes into effect in July 2026, making adoption of the Colorado Low Energy and Carbon Code mandatory. The deadline for jurisdictions to adopt this code is January 2030, which coincides with the adoption of the newer ICC International Building, Residential, and Energy Code.

The electric-preferred amendments would bring Salida more in line with the city's 2021 climate action plan, as well as Colorado's Model Low Energy and Carbon Code. The county has framed early adoption as a way to give builders time to adjust before the state mandate takes full effect.

Dissent and cost concerns

Councilwoman Suzanne Fontana was the dissenting vote on both the energy code and a related housing trust fee transfer request. Councilman Aaron Stephens joined in the dissent for the code. Both expressed concern about the added cost to building homes.

Mayor Justin Critelli expressed his desire for the robust energy conversation to be held during the second reading and public hearing so the public could weigh in.

The 15 September public hearing is the next scheduled decision point. Whether Salida adopts the same credit values as the county, or negotiates a modified version, remains to be determined by the council following that hearing. Poncha Springs has not publicly scheduled a vote on the amendment.