Opposition from fire chiefs sinks bid to allow taller single-stair apartment buildings

This recently constructed apartment building in east Denver was developed around a single-stair model, photographed Feb. 22, 2024. Apartments in each section of the building have access to just one stairwell. Current codes allow up to three stories to be built with apartments accessing a single stairwell, with taller buildings requiring two stairways. But the Colorado legislature is considering a bill that would allow as many as five stories with single-stair access. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)