This quarter, we are highlighting Larimer County's Building Division and their role in Climate Smart Future Ready (CSFR). Find out more through the below Q&A with the County Building Official, Eric Fried.

What is the Building Division and what is your role at Larimer County?

The Larimer County Building Division is responsible for professional building services in unincorporated Larimer County, including adopting and enforcing building codes, issuing permits, performing plan review, conducting building inspections, licensing contractors and conducting damage assessments after natural disasters like wildfires and floods.  We are committed to ensuring compliance with the adopted codes and protecting the health and safety of Larimer County residents. Among the codes we adopt are energy codes to maximize energy efficiency and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2012, I have been the County Building Official, leading our team of about 20 employees. Before that I was a Code Compliance Officer and a county building inspector. I’ve worked for the Building Division since 1997.
 

I personally have been concerned with accelerating climate change for decades and was involved from Day One with helping create Larimer County’s climate and sustainability plan. I am happy to report that over recent years, building code administrators have mostly come to realize that building safety is broader than just important issues like structural integrity, fire resistance and safe exiting. It includes having a safe and stable climate in which to live, work, construct and occupy buildings. Since buildings contribute a major chunk of the greenhouse gases driving global warming, increasing the efficiency of their energy and material use helps contribute to overall building and climate safety.
 

We were the first government entity in Larimer County to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, and we are now working closely with Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington, Estes Park and other local incorporated towns to all adopt the 2024 International Energy Code and the other 2024 codes. Every day our staff works with customers to explain and enforce these requirements, which cost more up front but save energy and money in the long run and contribute to occupant comfort and climate stability. We also earned Silver certification from SolSmart as a solar-friendly county.
 

What action are you and your committee going to tackle first? 

Besides our collective work to get the 2024 codes in effect for January 1, 2026, we are looking at adopting SolarApp automated solar permitting software so we can go for the Gold SolSmart designation. We may also look for grant funding to help our customers navigate new code requirements and look for any available rebates from partner agencies.