The International Fire Code is designed to provide a minimum standard for fire and life safety. However, every community faces unique challenges related to geography, water supply, emergency response capabilities, infrastructure, development pattern, and local hazards. To address these local conditions, Colorado law allows fire protection districts to adopt amendments to the model code that are reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

The Calhan Fire Protection District regularly evaluates the needs of the District and works with neighboring fire agencies, county planning departments, building officials, developers, and other regional stakeholders to ensure our amendments remain practical, consistent, and effective. This collaborative approach helps create predictable requirements for property owners, contractors, and developers while maintaining an appropriate level of fire and life safety protection.

On April 28, 2026, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution recognizing and adopting the Calhan Fire Protection District's fire code amendments for application within the District's jurisdictional area. The Town of Calhan also recognizes the District's adopted fire code and amendments, as the Calhan Fire Protection District serves as the fire code enforcement authority within the District. These partnerships help ensure a coordinated approach to development review, code enforcement, and public safety throughout the communities we serve.

The Calhan Fire Protection District assesses Public Safety Impact Fees on qualifying NEW development and certain improvements within the District. Impact fees are a one-time charge designed to ensure that new growth constitutes its proportionate share toward the capital facilities, apparatus, equipment's, and infrastructure necessary to maintain fire and emergency services as the community develops. These fees help offset the increased demand placed on the District by growth while reducing the financial burden on existing taxpayers.

Colorado law authorizes local governments and special districts to impose development impact fees when supported by a legally sufficient impact fee study, commonly referred to as a nexus study. The purpose of the nexus study is to identify the relationship between new development and the additional capital resources required to serve that development, ensuring that fees are fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the impacts created.

Legal Authority

Public Safety Impact Fees are authorized under Colorado law, including C.R.S. § 29-20-104.5, which permits impact fees to fund capital facilities needed to serve new development. These fees must be supported by a nexus study that demonstrates the relationship between new growth and the additional capital resources required to maintain service levels. The Calhan Fire Protection District Board of Directors reviewed and approved a Public Safety Impact Fee Nexus Study and subsequently adopted impact fees by resolution. Impact fee revenues are restricted to eligible capital improvements and infrastructure necessary to support growth within the District.

The Calhan Fire Protection District Board of Directors reviewed and approved a Public Safety Impact Fee Nexus Study and subsequently adopted impact fees by resolution. All collected impact fees revenues are restricted to eligible capital improvements and may only be used in accordance with applicable Colorado law and the District's adopted impact fee program.

Current impact fee schedules, resolutions, supporting studies, and related documents are available for review below.

The Calhan Fire Protection District has adopted the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (WRC) as adopted by the State of Colorado. The WRC was established by state legislation to create minimum wildfire mitigation standards for new construction and development in areas identified as having wildfire risk. The District adopted the code in its entirety through a resolution approved by the Board of Directors.

The District recognizes the importance of wildfire mitigation and community resilience; however, the adoption of the WRC was undertaken to comply with state requirements applicable to local jurisdictions. As adopted, the code establishes standards related to defensible space, ignition-resistant construction, access, water supply, and other wildfire mitigation measures intended to reduce the risk of structure loss during wildfire events.

The Calhan Fire Protection District remains committed to working with property owners, developers, community members, and regional partners to implement the code in a practical and consistent manner while balancing public safety, property rights, and the unique needs of our rural community.

The Calhan Fire Protection District participates in the development review process through partnerships with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, El Paso County Planning and Community Development, and Elbert County Community and Development Service. Through these partnerships, the District is able to review development proposals, construction documents, and site plans electronically through the respective jurisdictional permitting and review systems.

Plan reviews are conducted to verify compliance with adopted fire and life safety codes, fire apparatus access requirements, and other applicable fire code provisions. The District works closely with developers, design professionals, contractors, and jurisdictional partners to facilitate safe and efficient project development throughout our service area.

Prior to permit issuance or release, all applicable Calhan Fire Protection District fees, including adopted Impact Fees and permit fees, must be paid directly to the District.

Payments shall be delivered or mailed to:

_________________________________________

Calhan Fire Protection District

725 4th Street

Calhan, Colorado 80808

_________________________________________

Checks shall be made payable to Calhan Fire Protection District Return checks may result in additional fees, suspension of permit approvals, or revocation of permit authorization until all outstanding balances have been satisfied.

For questions regarding plan review requirements, development project, fees, or permitting, please contact the Fire Marshal at FireMarshal@CalhanFire.org

For information regarding fire protection system plan submittals, including fire sprinkler, fire alarm, fire pump, and other fire protection system reviews, please see the next section below.

The Calhan Fire Protection District reviews fire protection system plans to ensure compliance with adopted codes, nationally recognized standards, and local amendments. Fire protection submittals include, but are not limited to, fire sprinkler system, fire alarm systems, fire pumps, standpipe systems, clean agent systems, special hazard suppression systems, and other fire and life safety systems.

All fire protection system plans shall be submitted directly to the Fire Marshal for review. Electronic submittals are required and shall be provided in PDF format only. Submittals must include all appliable plans, calculations, manufacturer specifications, product data sheets, cut sheets, supporting documentation, and any other information necessary to complete the review.

Fire protection system plan submittals shall be emailed to:

FireMarshal@CalhanFire.org

Prior to the release of any Fire Department permit for a fire protection system, all appliable review, permit, and inspection fees shall be paid in full. Payments shall be delivered or mailed to:

Payments shall be delivered or mailed to:

_________________________________________

Calhan Fire Protection District

725 4th Street

Calhan, Colorado 80808

_________________________________________

Checks shall be made payable to Calhan Fire Protection District

Any returned checks may result in additional fees and the suspension or revocation of permit approvals until all outstanding balances have been satisfied.

Questions regarding fire protection system plan reviews, permit requirements, inspections, or fees may be directed to the Fire Marshal at FireMarshal@CalhanFire.org.