Renovating a Modern Colorado Home? Why Asbestos Testing is Still Required (Even Post-1990 Builds)
If you live in one of the Front Range’s premier master-planned communities, you likely enjoy the perks of modern construction: energy efficiency, open floor plans, and the peace of mind that comes with a "newer" home. Whether you are settled in Serratoga Falls (Timnath), the high-plains beauty of Banning Lewis Ranch (Colorado Springs), or a scenic lot in Candelas (Arvada), you probably assume your home is far too young to have an "asbestos problem."
However, if you are planning a basement finish, a kitchen remodel, or a master suite renovation, there is one legal hurdle you shouldn't skip: The Asbestos Inspection.
The "New Home" Asbestos Myth
A common misconception among Colorado homeowners is that homes built after 1990 are automatically "asbestos-free." While the use of asbestos dropped significantly after the 1970s, the legal reality is different:
The Partial Ban: The 1989 EPA ban was largely overturned in 1991. This allowed many "non-friable" materials—like flooring mastics, roofing products, and certain drywall joint compounds—to stay on the market.
Imported Materials: Modern builders often use global supply chains. Materials sourced from overseas may still contain trace amounts of asbestos fibers, even in homes built as recently as 2015 or 2020.
Stockpiled Inventory: During the rapid expansion of communities like Anthem (Broomfield) or Highlands Ranch, builders occasionally used existing stockpiles of textures or compounds that pre-dated newer safety trends.
Colorado Regulation 8: The Law for All Ages
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is clear: Regulation 8 requires an asbestos inspection for homes of any age before any renovation or demolition project that exceeds "trigger levels" (typically 32 sq. ft. of material).
Local building departments—from the Douglas County Building Division serving Castle Rock (The Meadows) to the Larimer County offices serving Timnath (Harmony/WildWing)—typically require a certified asbestos report before they will issue your renovation permit. Without this report, your project could be red-tagged, leading to costly delays and fines.
Targeted Testing for Your Neighborhood
At ColoradoAsbestos Inspections, LLC, we specialize in the "clean" inspections typical of newer builds. We understand the specific materials and builder profiles found in Front Range growth hubs, including:
Highlands Ranch (Firelight, Westridge, & Falcon Hills): As these homes hit the 20-25 year mark, many owners are performing their first major updates. We provide the permit-ready documentation required for these classic suburban remodels.
Timnath & Windsor (Serratoga Falls, WildWing, & Harmony): In these high-growth areas, we focus on high-efficiency, non-destructive sampling to get your basement finish approved by the county quickly.
Colorado Springs (Banning Lewis Ranch & Falcon): For the newest communities on the eastern edge of the Springs, we offer rapid turnaround times to match the pace of your construction schedule.
Arvada & Broomfield (Candelas & Anthem): We help homeowners in these eco-conscious communities ensure their modern renovations remain safe and compliant with state standards.
The Benefit of "Newer" Inspections
The good news? Testing a home built in 2010 is much simpler than testing one from 1950. Because these properties have consistent building materials and fewer layers of history, we can often:
Reduce On-Site Time: Most "new build" inspections are completed in under an hour.
Minimize Samples: State law requires fewer samples when materials are consistent throughout the home.
Deliver Clean Reports: Most post-1990 homes return "None Detected" results, meaning you get your "Negative" report and can start your remodel immediately.
Get Your Project Permit-Ready
Don't let a missing paperwork requirement stall your dream renovation. Whether you’re finishing a walk-out basement in Kitchel Lake or updating a kitchen in Highlands Ranch, we provide the professional, unbiased testing you need to satisfy Colorado state law and local building departments.
Planning a project in a newer Front Range community? Contact ColoradoAsbestos Inspections today.