What changed in October 2026
The Colorado Division of Insurance announced that requirements under HB25-1182, Risk Model Use in Property Insurance, began taking effect October 1, 2026. The requirements apply to admitted property insurers and the Colorado FAIR Plan, not non-admitted or surplus-lines insurers. When covered insurers use wildfire risk models in underwriting or pricing, they must provide clearer information about the property's score and consider qualifying mitigation measures.
What homeowners are entitled to see
The Division of Insurance says the required notice should identify a property's wildfire risk score or classification, explain how it was determined, describe relevant property and surrounding-area factors, identify potential mitigation effects and explain appeal rights. New applicants generally must receive the notice within 15 days after a completed application; renewing customers receive it with renewal materials. Covered insurers must acknowledge qualifying formal appeals within 10 calendar days and provide a reconsideration decision within 30 calendar days.
What mitigation discounts do and do not mean
The law requires insurers using wildfire models to recognize qualifying, science-based property and community mitigation. The effect on any one premium depends on the insurer, recognized certification, underwriting requirements and coverage. A homeowner should not assume that trimming vegetation alone guarantees a specific discount or that an insurer must write every high-risk property. Ask the insurer what standards and documentation it recognizes before spending money.
Eric Hyatt's analysis for foothills buyers and sellers
In Morrison, Conifer, Evergreen, Golden and other foothills markets, insurance should be evaluated before a buyer becomes committed to an expensive property. A home can be attractive and competitively priced yet difficult to insure at a workable premium. Sellers who have documented defensible-space work, roof improvements or a recognized wildfire-prepared designation should keep records and be prepared to share them, without promising a buyer the same insurance quote.
Practical checklist and authoritative source
Request the risk notice; compare insurance quotes and coverage, not premiums alone; document completed mitigation; and use the insurer's appeal process if the score is inaccurate. The Division of Insurance provides consumer assistance and complaints through doi.colorado.gov. Primary source: Colorado Division of Insurance announcement dated October 12, 2026, https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CODORA/bulletins/42e8cde . Related reading: https://www.erichyattrealestate.com/post/colorado-home-insurance-real-estate-decision and https://www.erichyattrealestate.com/post/colorado-foothills-mountain-home-due-diligence .