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Ice & Water Shield Requirements by Colorado Jurisdiction
What each jurisdiction’s own sources say about ice barrier (ice & water shield) on residential re-roofs — the conditions are the value: adjacent cities contradict each other (Denver’s own climate table says No while Aurora’s says Yes), some counties gate the requirement by elevation (above 7,000 ft under Douglas County and the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code), and many cities defer entirely to shingle-manufacturer instructions. Only jurisdictions with an explicit sourced statement appear here.
Ice barrier required (29)
Boulder County - Community Planning & Permitting (Boulder County, Colorado (unincorporated))
County climatic/geographic design-criteria table: "ICE BARRIER UNDERLAYMENT REQUIRED = YES. In accordance with Sections R905.1.2, R905.4.3.1, R905.5.3.1, R905.6.3.1, R905.7.3.1 and R905.8.3.1, where there has been a history of local damage from the effects of ice damming, ice barrier is required." Boulder County's official determination applies this trigger countywide (no elevation threshold).
City of Aurora - Building Division (City of Aurora, Colorado)
City of Aurora Engineering Design Criteria (Public Works Building Division Form #A200, rev. 01/2022, for the 2021 I-Codes) lists "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: Yes" for the city; per the unamended IRC R905.1.2 baseline this extends from the eave edge to 24 in. inside the exterior wall line on all eaves.
City of Centennial - Building Division (City of Centennial, Colorado)
"Ice barrier underlayment water shield is a requirement on all roofs" - stated as a blanket requirement in the city's Residential Roof Repairs and Re-Roofing policy, not limited to eaves only.
City of Commerce City - Building Inspection Division (City of Commerce City, Colorado)
City of Commerce City's locally amended Table R301.2 "CLIMATE GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA" states "Ice barrier underlayment required: Yes" citywide, which triggers the unamended IRC R905.1.2 baseline: ice barrier extends from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least 24 in. inside the exterior wall line. This is an adopted building-code requirement that applies even though most residential reroofs are exempt from needing a permit.
City of Dacono - Community Development Department (Building Division) (City of Dacono, Colorado)
Guide states "ICE AND WATER SHIELD IS REQUIRED ON ALL ROOFS" (Wind/Weather Resistance section) — stated as a blanket requirement with no eave-distance or slope condition given.
City of Englewood - Building Division (City of Englewood, Colorado)
Ice and water shield is required to extend 24 inches inside the exterior wall line of the building.
City of Fort Collins - Building Services (City of Fort Collins, Colorado)
2024 IRC R905.1.2 (unamended, adopted by City of Fort Collins): ice barrier required where Table R301.2 designates it (Fort Collins is designated "Required"); barrier must extend from the lowest roof edge to a point not less than 24 in. inside the exterior wall line (36 in. measured along the slope on roofs pitched 8:12 or greater).
City of Fort Lupton - Building Department (City of Fort Lupton, Colorado)
FAQ states "Yes, ice and water shield barriers & drip edge are required in the City of Fort Lupton" — stated as a blanket requirement; no eave-distance, slope, or elevation condition is given in the FAQ text.
City of Golden - Building Division (City of Golden, Colorado)
Golden requires an approved ice barrier for all new and re-roofing applications; the barrier must extend from the lowest roof edge to a point no less than 24 inches inside the exterior wall line of the building (per handout: IRC 2024 R905.1.2 / IBC 2024 1507.1.2).
City of Greenwood Village - Community Development (City of Greenwood Village, Colorado)
An ice barrier membrane shall be installed at all eaves directly over the roof deck and extend at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. Detached accessory structures without conditioned floor area are exempt.
City of Lafayette - Building Division (City of Lafayette, Colorado)
Ice and watershield is required (including the eaves and valleys).
City of Littleton - Building and Code Compliance Division (City of Littleton, Colorado)
Ice and water barrier underlayment complying with ASTM D1970, extending a minimum of 2 feet inside the exterior wall line, is required at eaves of all conditioned structures. In valleys: closed valleys require ice and water barrier underlayment at least 36 inches wide; open valleys require one 24-inch-wide galvanized metal layer, or two layers of mineral-surfaced rolled roofing (18 in. and 36 in. wide). Double underlayment or ice and water barrier underlayment is also required where asphalt shingles are installed on a 2/12-4/12 pitch roof.
City of Longmont - Building Inspection Division (City of Longmont, Colorado)
The City of Longmont does require Ice & Water Shield. Manufacturer's installation instructions and code must be followed; where in conflict the more restrictive applies. Roof slopes between 1/12 and 2/12, above non-habitable space, are permitted to use a bituminous membrane (ice and water guard) then asphalt shingles.
City of Louisville - Building Safety Division (City of Louisville, Colorado)
"Ice and water shield was installed per ASTM D1970 and section 905.1.2 of the IRC at the time of the inspection. The inspectors look[] to ensure the required amount of Ice and Water shield is installed." Verified at mid-roof inspection; the page does not state a specific inch measurement beyond citing IRC R905.1.2 compliance.
City of Loveland - Building Division (City of Loveland, Colorado)
Required on all eaves, installed over the required metal drip edge; not less than 24 in. inside the exterior wall line (36 in. inside for roofs greater than 8:12 pitch).
City of Wheat Ridge - Building Division (City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado)
"Ice and Water shield is required at eaves and shall extend a minimum of two (2) feet inside exterior walls."
Douglas County - Building Division (Douglas County, Colorado (unincorporated))
"Ice barrier underlayment is required for elevations above 7,000 feet. Ice barrier shall extend from the lowest edge of all roof surfaces to point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line of the building." Not required at elevations of 7,000 feet or below per the same FAQ (elevation-conditional, not universal).
Elbert County Building Department (Elbert County, Colorado)
"Per Ordinance 22-01: Ice Barrier shall be installed for asphalt shingles, metal roof shingles, mineral-surfaced roll roofing, and slate and slate-type shingles." (called out in a red highlight box specific to Elbert County within the county's Single Family Residential Re-roofing guide). Corroborated by the county's Mid/Final Roof Declaration, which requires the installer to declare: "Ice and water shield is installed at eaves, 24" inside the heated wall on all heated buildings in consideration of pitch, buildings attached to heated buildings and buildings with habitable space, per section R905.1.2 of the 2018 IRC Building Code. 90lb felt, or equivalent, or valley metal is installed in valleys."
Jefferson County - Building Division (Jefferson County, Colorado (unincorporated))
"Ice barrier shall be installed for asphalt shingles, metal roof shingles, mineral-surfaced roll roofing, slate and slate-type shingles, wood shingles and wood shakes per R905.1.2. Concrete and clay tile per manufacturer's instructions R905.3.8." (2026 county roofing notice does not restate a specific inside-wall distance beyond the R905.1.2 citation.)
Larimer County - Building Division (Larimer County, Colorado (unincorporated))
"Ice Barrier (required county-wide). An ice barrier shall consist of not fewer than two layers of underlayment cemented together or a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen sheet and shall extend from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least two feet inside the exterior wall." Exceptions: metal panel roofs, membrane roof coverings, and detached accessory structures with no heated floor area; existing asphalt shingles with no ice barrier may receive a second layer of roof covering without adding an ice barrier. No elevation threshold is stated — the requirement applies countywide regardless of elevation.
Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (El Paso County region, Colorado (including Colorado Springs and surrounding municipalities))
Conditional on elevation, not universal: "Properties that are above 7,000 ft. elevation require an ice barrier to be installed. This barrier shall consist of not fewer than two layers of underlayment cemented together, or a self-adhering, polymer-modified bitumen sheet, and shall extend from the eave's edge to a point of at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line of the building." Elevation is listed on the permit receipt. (See 2023 PPRBC section RBC303.4.2 Table R301.2 footnote D and 2021 IRC section 905.1.2 for application) Below 7,000 ft, no ice barrier is called out for typical reroofs in this handout.
Town of Berthoud - Planning and Building Department (Town of Berthoud, Colorado)
"Ice Barrier IS REQUIRED per section R905.1.2" — the Design Criteria table in the same document also lists "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: Yes."
Town of Castle Rock - Building Division (Town of Castle Rock, Colorado)
Per CRMC 15.06.030 (Section R905.1.2, Ice barriers, as amended by Ordinance No. 2026-017, adopted 6/2/2026, effective 6/30/2026): an ice barrier shall be installed on eaves and valleys for asphalt shingles, metal roof shingles, mineral-surfaced roll roofing, slate and slate-type shingles, wood shingles, and wood shakes, consisting of not less than two layers of cemented underlayment or a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen sheet, extending not less than 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. On roofs with slope 8:12 or greater, the ice barrier must also extend not less than 36 inches up-slope from the eave edge. Exception: detached accessory structures without conditioned floor area.
Town of Firestone - Building Division (Town of Firestone, Colorado)
R905.1.2. "Ice barriers are REQUIRED. The ice barrier shall extend from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point not less than 24 inches (610 mm) inside the exterior wall line of the building." Mid- roof checklist adds: "Ice & Water installed over the drip on the eaves and underlayment under the drip edge on rakes."
Town of Frederick - Building Department (Town of Frederick, Colorado)
Re-roof guidelines: "Ice and water barrier shall be installed on all roofs." The Design Criteria table on the same page separately lists "Ice barrier requirement - Yes." Mid-Roof Inspection checklist confirms: "All ice and water shield shall be in place."
Town of Johnstown - Building Department (Town of Johnstown, Colorado)
Ice Barrier Requirements: required from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line.
Town of Monument (permits via Pikes Peak Regional Building Department) (Town of Monument, Colorado)
PPRBD reroof guidelines: "Elevations of the property is listed on the permit receipt. Properties that are above 7,000 ft. elevation require an ice barrier to be installed. This barrier shall consist of not fewer than two layers of underlayment cemented together, or a self-adhering, polymer-modified bitumen sheet, and shall extend from the eave's edge to a point of at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line of the building." Confirmed by PPRBD homeowner FAQ: "If the elevation on the property is more than 7,000 feet, ice and water shield is required. If it is below 7,000 feet in elevation, it is not required." Trigger is per-property elevation (shown on the permit receipt), not a town-wide rule.
Town of Superior - Planning and Building Department (Town of Superior, Colorado)
"Ice and water shield is required on all eaves. A minimum of one 3' wide strip of ice and water shield is required." For low-slope roofs (2:12 to 4:12 pitch): "apply a double layer of underlayment felt per section R905.2.3 IRC or apply a single layer of ice barrier on entire slope and 24" on adjacent slope."
Town of Windsor - Building Department (Town of Windsor, Colorado)
"ICE AND WATER SHIELD IS REQUIRED ON ALL ROOFS" (2024 IRC Residential Re-roofing guide, Town of Windsor / SAFEbuilt, published 1.1.2026); corroborated by the Town's separate Design Criteria sheet, which lists under Special Requirements: "Ice and water shield required".
Ice barrier not required (explicit) (16)
Adams County - Building Safety Division (Adams County, Colorado (unincorporated))
"Installation of ice and water shield is not required in Adams County. If installed, it must meet the installation requirements set forth in the 2024 International Residential Code and the manufacturer's installation instructions."
Arapahoe County - Building Division (Arapahoe County, Colorado (unincorporated))
The county's own adopted climate-design-criteria table (Table R301.2(A), part of the 2021 IRC amendments in Resolution 21-394) lists "Ice Barrier Underlayment required: NO" for unincorporated Arapahoe County. Neither this table nor the county's 2024 Residential Re-roofing Guide amend or otherwise require an ice barrier.
City and County of Broomfield - Building Division (City and County of Broomfield, Colorado)
There has not been a substantial history of ice damming; therefore, no special treatment of eaves is required. Ice and water shields are not required by the code. Adequate ventilation and correct insulation can prevent ice damming from occurring.
City and County of Denver - Community Planning and Development (City and County of Denver, Colorado)
Table R301.2 Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria in Denver's Roofing Guide and Checklist lists "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: No"; the guide states "Self-adhering bitumen installed at the eaves and rakes to two feet inside the exterior wall is NOT required."
City of Arvada - Building Division (City of Arvada, Colorado)
"While the City of Arvada does not require the additional underlayment requirements to protect against ice dams as a general rule, if the manufacturer requires additional measures then the City of Arvada will require it... the City of Arvada is not an area with a history of wide spread ice dams, therefore, we do not make it a requirement for all roof edges, however; we leave it up to the expert opinion of roofing contractors to determine if there has been a history of ice damming and then take the appropriate steps to protect affected areas when reroofing." (Re-Roofing Ice Dams Memo, Oct. 1, 2020, linked from the Re-Roofing page as "Ice Barrier (Ice and Water Shield) not required. See attached letter.")
City of Boulder - Building Permits & Inspections (City of Boulder, Colorado)
Table R301.2(1) climatic and geographic design criteria for the City of Boulder Residential Building Code states: "Ice barrier underlayment required = NO."
City of Brighton - Building Division (City of Brighton, Colorado)
Ice shield is not required (unless required by manufacturer).
City of Castle Pines Building Department (City of Castle Pines, Colorado)
Ice Barrier is not required (item 6 of Residential Roofing Requirements).
City of Federal Heights Building Department (City of Federal Heights, Colorado)
Ice and water shield is not required unless specified per the manufacturer's installation instructions.
City of Fountain (permits via Pikes Peak Regional Building Department) (City of Fountain, Colorado)
The PPRBD regional code requires an ice barrier only for "properties that are above 7,000 ft. elevation"; Fountain sits at roughly 5,500 ft, below the trigger, so the requirement does not apply to properties in the city. (See 2023 PPRBC section RBC303.4.2 Table R301.2 footnote D and 2021 IRC section 905.1.2) Per PPRBD regional guidelines, which govern permits for Fountain. Fountain's own elevation (~5,538 ft) is well below the 7,000 ft trigger, so this rarely applies to Fountain addresses in practice.
City of Lakewood - Building Division (City of Lakewood, Colorado)
An ice barrier underlayment is not required. Ice & Water Shield (or similar self-adhering bitumen product) may be used in lieu of a double layer of felt underlayment for the entire roof when the slope is less than 4:12.
City of Lone Tree - Building Division (City of Lone Tree, Colorado)
Ice and water is not required (per General Requirements section).
City of Thornton - Building Inspection Division (City of Thornton, Colorado)
Ice and water shield is not required unless specified in the shingle manufacturer's installation instructions.
Town of Erie - Building Division (Town of Erie, Colorado)
Ice shield is not required (unless required by manufacturer).
Town of Parker - Building Division (Town of Parker, Colorado)
Town of Parker Building Division Re-Roofing Requirements handout states "Ice and Water Required- No, not applicable." for asphalt shingle re-roofs (all other roof materials must meet code or manufacturer specs).
Weld County - Building Inspection Division (Weld County, Colorado (unincorporated))
Weld County's amended IRC Table R301.2(1) (Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria, Sec. 29-2-30.B, amending Table 301.2) lists "ICE SHIELD UNDER-LAYMENT = NO" as the countywide determination.
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