12/12/2023 - 8/31/2026



Registration ends on 8/31/2026

Executive Summary

Past changes to ASCE 7 wind provisions have wrought havoc along the Colorado front range, seeing mistaken shifts of the Special Wind Region (SWR) boundary, a transition from ~50-year to ~700-year reference wind speeds, a risk-targeted reduction to the mapped speeds along the SWR border, and more. SEAC and CPP have managed to limp along with the Front Range Gust Map from 2006 using conservative approximations based upon the limited data available at the time. Not only is this information is outdated, but no regional wind study has ever been performed south of Castle Rock -- leaving wind speeds for half of the mapped Colorado SWR undefined. Furthermore, the SWR boundaries in ASCE 7-16 and 7-22 remain incorrect, especially south of the Denver metro area where Pikes Peak is no longer included.

Colorado needs a new wind speed map to correctly define and fully cover the CO SWR, and this significant effort has a cost of $200,000. Fortunately, we have found a willing and enthusiastic partner in Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and have been awarded a Federal Emergency Management Agency Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (FEMA BRIC) grant to cover 75% of the costs. SEAC is responsible for the remaining 25%, and as before, we need to rely on SEAC members and their networks for funding and support.
 
The great news is that there has been significant progress on the study and its implementation! CPP Wind Engineering Consultants has recently completed a study to improve the understanding of design wind speeds in and around the Colorado Front Range special wind region (SWR). This study aimed to determine if modifications to SWR boundaries and refinement of speed contours are warranted in the northern portion of the SWR, to evaluate the southern portion of Colorado to more accurately define the SWR boundary, and to provide wind speed contours in regions where the design speeds are above ASCE 7 values. The conclusions of this study include significant revisions to the existing CO SWR map and associated contours, lowering speeds in the northern contours and extending the SWR to cover other regions which were previously not included. CPP is now working hard to incorporate these updates into ASCE 7-28.

This study will have a significant and beneficial impact on structural engineers in Colorado, and we thank you in advance for your support! Please consider donating to the study and sharing this information with anyone in your network who may be interested in supporting this important endeavor. Any individual or firm who sponsors at the Bronze Level or higher will receive recognition for their contribution in the final Wind Study report and online through SEAC.
 

Sponsorships

Platinum - $10,000
Gold - $5,000
Silver - $2,500
Bronze - $1,000
Iron - $500
Contribution - $100

Credit cards, checks, and money orders are accepted through our secure online form. You will receive a “registration” email as a receipt for your sponsorship. Additionally, if you prefer you can skip the form and send a check made out to “SEAC” and marked “Wind Study” to:
 
SEAC
303 S. Broadway
Ste 200-345
Denver, CO 80209