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The Town of Columbine Valley adopted the 2024 International Residential Code through Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2025, approved on November 18, 2025, so a basement bedroom needs an egress window under Section R319. That means at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, at least 24 in. high and 20 in. wide, with a sill no higher than 44 in. The well must be at least 9 sq ft with 36 in. of projection, and it needs a ladder if it is deeper than 44 in. We set up the project, and our local installer cuts the opening, sets the window and finishes the well. Check with the Town's Building Department before work starts.
The Town of Columbine Valley adopted the 2024 International Residential Code through Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2025, approved on November 18, 2025, so a basement bedroom needs an egress window under Section R319. That means at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, at least 24 in. high and 20 in. wide, with a sill no higher than 44 in. The well must be at least 9 sq ft with 36 in. of projection, and it needs a ladder if it is deeper than 44 in. We set up the project, and our local installer cuts the opening, sets the window and finishes the well. Check with the Town's Building Department before work starts.
Egress code in Columbine Valley
- Authority: Town of Columbine Valley Building Department, Town Hall, 2 Middlefield, Columbine Valley, CO 80123; phone 303-795-1434 (https://columbinevalley.org/building-codes/ and https://columbinevalley.org/building-permits/). Permit questions go to Town Hall.
- Edition: 2024 IRC, adopted by Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2025 (approved by the Board of Trustees 11/18/2025). Source: https://columbinevalley.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Board-of-Trustee-Minutes-11-18-25.pdf
- Section: Section R319 (Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings) of the 2024 IRC
- Local amendments: reviewed. The Town's IRC amendments (HOA approval before a permit, a height certificate for new homes, design criteria and garage separation) don't touch R319 or window wells.
Egress windows in Columbine Valley
Columbine Valley is a small residential town in Arapahoe County, next to Littleton. Homeowners who finish a basement into a bedroom, office or guest room need a code-sized way out of the lower level, and an egress window is usually the simplest way to get there.
What the code asks for. Columbine Valley now builds to the 2024 IRC. Every basement sleeping room needs an emergency escape and rescue opening under Section R319. Our local installer builds to the same numbers on every job:
- a net clear opening of at least 5.7 sq ft
- at least 24 in. high and 20 in. wide
- a sill no more than 44 in. above the finished floor
Outside, the window well must be at least 9 sq ft, with at least 36 in. of projection and width. Any well deeper than 44 in. gets a permanent ladder or steps.
How a project runs. We set up the job with you and confirm the room, the wall and what the window needs to do. Then our local installer measures, cuts the foundation, sets the window and buck, digs and installs the well, and handles drainage and finish work. In Columbine Valley, a basement finish needs a building permit from the Town, and the Town's code requires HOA approval before a permit is issued, so we plan for that step early. The permit paperwork is part of the job.
Not sure your current window qualifies? Try our free egress window check to compare your opening against the code numbers.
What it costs. The price depends on the wall, the depth of the cut, the window style and the well. See our Denver egress window cost guide for what drives the price.
Nearby. We also cover Littleton, Englewood, Sheridan and Cherry Hills Village. See the Arapahoe County page for the rest of the county.
Before work starts, check with your building department. It has the final say on your address, its code edition and any local amendments.
Services in Columbine Valley
Egress windows · Window wells · Covers · Basement egress
Ready to add egress to your Columbine Valley basement?
We set up the project, and our local installer measures the room, cuts the opening, sets the window and well, and handles the permit paperwork with the Town's Building Department.
Frequently asked questions
Which code covers egress windows in Columbine Valley?
The Town adopted the 2024 IRC through Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2025, approved on November 18, 2025. Egress windows are covered in Section R319. Confirm with the Building Department before you build.
How big must a Columbine Valley egress window be?
It needs at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, at least 24 in. of height and 20 in. of width, and a sill no more than 44 in. above the finished floor.
When does a window well need a ladder?
When it is deeper than 44 in. The well itself must be at least 9 sq ft, with 36 in. of projection and width.
Do I need HOA approval for an egress window in Columbine Valley?
The Town's amendments to the IRC require HOA approval before a building permit is issued. Questions go to Town Hall at 303-795-1434, 2 Middlefield. The permit paperwork is handled as part of the job.
How much does an egress window cost in Columbine Valley?
It depends on the wall, the window and the well. Our cost guide explains what drives the price, and the quote is free.