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Environment | Marshall fire victims protested green building…
Wednesday, April 29th 2026

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Marshall fire victims protested green building codes as too expensive. Now a majority are voluntarily adopting them.

Most people so far approved to rebuild in Louisville and Superior are choosing more energy efficient homes

Heather Szucs spins her daughter Savanah, 11, as she dances in the living room of their home that is in the midst of being rebulit in the Cornerstone neighborhood on Feb. 27, 2023, in Louisville. Daughter Zoe, 8, is at right. The family lost their home in the Marshall Fire that burned 1084 homes in Dec. 2021. A year ago, Louisville residents who lost their homes in the Marshall fire protested a city mandate to build new homes to 2021 green building codes. The city rescinded the requirement for Marshall fire victims. Now, 60% of the people who have received building permits are making their homes meet that standard. Szucs did not join the protests but at first worried about the affordability of an energy-efficient home. But she's making it happen by using rebates and incentives offered by Xcel Energy and the Colorado Energy Office. "In my heart of hearts what I really wanted to do was go green and I stood at that ledge and I jumped into 2021 going, 'Well, IÕll figure it out.'" (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Heather Szucs spins her daughter Savanah, 11, as she dances in the living room of their home that is in the midst of being rebulit in the Cornerstone neighborhood on Feb. 27, 2023, in Louisville. Daughter Zoe, 8, is at right. The family lost their home in the Marshall Fire that burned 1084 homes in Dec. 2021. A year ago, Louisville residents who lost their homes in the Marshall fire protested a city mandate to build new homes to 2021 green building codes. The city rescinded the requirement for Marshall fire victims. Now, 60% of the people who have received building permits are making their homes meet that standard. Szucs did not join the protests but at first worried about the affordability of an energy-efficient home. But she’s making it happen by using rebates and incentives offered by Xcel Energy and the Colorado Energy Office. “In my heart of hearts what I really wanted to do was go green and I stood at that ledge and I jumped into 2021 going, ‘Well, IÕll figure it out.'” (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Noelle Phillips of The Denver Post.
By | nphillips@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Those pushing for more energy-efficient home construction are looking at the first building permits issued to Marshall fire families and seeing a pleasing trend: The majority of homeowners are choosing to go green.
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