Salvage lumber is reclaimed wood from old structures and is a safe, practical material for reuse in new buildings. Recycle Colorado is committed to helping communities, builders, building code officials, architects and others understand how to use salvage lumber with confidence.
The Opportunity
Colorado disposes of 10 million tons of solid waste each year and construction and demolition (C&D) is a major portion per the Colorado Department of Public Health Environment.1 Lumber makes up a significant share of C&D waste stream; Recycle Colorado estimates 600,000 to 800,000 tons of lumber are landfilled annually in Colorado.
Even when reclaimed lumber is in excellent condition, builders and communities face confusion because local building codes often lack a clear, consistent pathway for grading, certification, and permitted use.
THE SIMPLE IDEA: USING THE EXISTING GRADE STAMP RULES
This is not about adding new requirements. It’s about clarifying what’s already allowable.
If reclaimed lumber has an approved grade stamp, it can be used in structural and non-structural applications just like new lumber. If it does not have a stamp, it can still be used in non-structural applications, or it can be re-graded or inspected through an approved process.
Building Code Changes Coming Soon
In 2026, the International Code Council approved a salvage lumber code update that clarifies how salvage lumber can be used in structural applications. The new code will be a part of the 2027 International Building Code and International Residential Code.
In Colorado, each municipality and county adopts building codes for their own locality. The state of Colorado does not set building code requirements for residential and commercial buildings. That means that the state is a patchwork of different building codes, with some locations having newer codes and some having older codes. It will take a while for the 2027 code to be adopted in many places, if it’s adopted at all.
Recycle Colorado is sharing guidance and resources to reduce confusion about salvage lumber, improve consistency across jurisdictions, and help keep usable lumber in projects instead of landfills.
Where to Find Salvage Lumber
- Perks Reclaimed - Find salvaged building materials for your next DIY, woodworking, or art project. Sourced from Denver and Boulder deconstruction projects and priced well below retail!
- Rica Deconstruction - A worker-owned cooperative based nearby in Fort Collins, Colorado, focused on sustainable building deconstruction and material reuse. Check out their Facebook Marketplace page for materials.
- Centennial Woods - Centennial Woods sells paneling, trim, siding made from reclaimed wood from our recycled Wyoming snow fences. Their reclaimed wood is commonly used as exterior cladding and accents or as paneling in bedrooms, living rooms, TV rooms, entryways, kitchens, billiard rooms, wet bars, and walk-in closets.
Resources
The C&D Council has created several resources about salvage lumber. Please feel free to reshare these resources with your network and help us spread the word.
- Salvage Lumber 2-Pager
- Case Study: Boulder Community Hospital
Not finding what you were looking for? Let us know by emailing info@recyclecolorado.org.
Upcoming Events
The C&D Council will be hosting an educational salvage lumber roundtable event in the fall / winter of 2026. If you are interested in learning more please contact us via email at info@recyclecolorado.org.
WHY SALVAGE LUMBER HELPS COLORADO COMMUNITIES
Waste Reduction + Climate Benefits
- Keeping usable wood out of landfills supports Colorado’s climate goals and reduces unnecessary disposal.
- Using reclaimed lumber and wood flooring in construction : measuring environmental impact using life-cycle inventory analysis | US Forest Service Research and Development
Lumber Import & Tariffs
- In 2024, Canadian softwood lumber exports to the U.S. totaled $5.1 billion, accounting for approximately 74% of the total value of softwood lumber imports (NAHB)
- As of today, Canadian softwood lumber entering the U.S is subject to a combined 14.54% tariff rate.
Housing Affordability + Material Cost Stability
- Reclaimed lumber can ease pressure on new lumber demand and help communities manage rising material costs.
- The lumber tariffs act as a tax on American builders, home buyers and consumers, and has a detrimental effect on housing affordability (NAHB).
Local Jobs + Strong Small Businesses
- A clearer pathway for reuse strengthens Colorado-based deconstruction, resale, and reclaimed materials businesses.