The City of Aspen and Pitkin County have enacted new, more stringent regulations regarding installation and placement of carbon monoxide detectors in homes, hotels, lodges, fractional ownership properties, apartments, cabins, etc. The carbon monoxide ordinances were developed jointly by Pitkin County, the Aspen Fire Protection District and the City of Aspen. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE CARBON MONOXIDE ORDINANCES VISIT: Pitkin County and City of Aspen

SUMMARY OF THE CARBON MONOXIDE ORDINANCE

Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in all dwellings, on every level of the residence, in a central location outside of each sleeping area, and in each sleeping room containing a fuel burning appliance.
You must be able to hear the carbon monoxide detector warning signal from your bedroom
Hard wired carbon monoxide detectors are required in all newly constructed dwellings in central locations audible from sleeping areas or bedrooms
Plug in carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup and battery powered detectors are approved for existing dwellings and bedrooms
Building inspectors and fire code officials will monitor compliance with the carbon monoxide detector law
Home and rental unit owners who fail to provide carbon monoxide detectors in compliance with this ordinance are subject to a $250 fine for a first offense, $500 for a second offense and court summons for third and additional offenses. These penalties may differ slightly between City and County.

HOW DO I INSTALL MY
CO DETECTOR?

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on your CO detector and make sure to read a copy of the city and county’s regulations. If you have specific questions about how to install yours or need help, contact;

City of Aspen Community
Development | 920-5090
Pitkin County Community
Development | 920-5526
Aspen Fire Protection
District | 925-5532
Basalt Fire District
704-0675
 

WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. Electric heaters do not give off CO. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. If appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result.

HOW CAN I REDUCE EXPOSURE TO CO?

Consider the following steps to reduce exposure to carbon monoxide and purchase detectors at local hardware stores and discount retailers such as True Value Hardware, the Miner’s Building, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and Target. Detectors are also available online.

Keep gas appliances properly adjusted. Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.

Install and use an exhaust fan or range hood vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
Open flues when fireplaces are in use.

Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.

Do not idle vehicles inside garages.