Central Park, Denver: Fire Recovery in Newer Homes and Rowhouses

How Central Park differs from older Park Hill

Central Park

Mostly built in the 2000s and later
Drywall, engineered lumber and modern framing
Many attached homes, rowhouses and condos
Attached garages, often on alleys
Community associations with design guidelines

Older Park Hill

Mostly built in the early to mid 1900s
Plaster, solid lumber and older framing
Mostly detached single-family houses
Detached garages on alleys
Possible landmark designation for some properties

Modern construction changes the fire

Central Park was developed on the former Stapleton International Airport site after the airport closed, and the community was renamed Central Park in 2020. Homes are mostly built to modern codes, with drywall, platform framing, fire blocking and interconnected smoke alarms. Those features help contain smoke compared with balloon-framed older houses.

Modern houses also burn differently. Synthetic furnishings produce heavy, oily smoke, and fire service research has shown that lightweight engineered floor systems can fail faster in fire than solid lumber. After a fire, structural review of engineered joists and trusses is important even when damage looks limited from below.

Many homes here share walls with neighbors. A fire in one rowhouse or townhome can send smoke into the next unit through shared attics, penetrations and party walls, and repairs may need to be coordinated between owners, insurers and the association.

Steps that are especially relevant here

Notify your community or HOA association promptly; they may have requirements for exterior repairs and contractor access.
If you share walls, tell your neighbors and check their units for smoke.
Ask for structural review of engineered floor joists and roof trusses in the fire area.
Check whether your HOA's master policy covers any part of the building, especially for attached homes and condos.
Inspect attached garages and the walls and ceilings separating them from living space.
Clean HVAC systems if forced air was running during the fire.

Questions for your association and insurer

Does the master policy cover any part of my home, and where does my policy take over?
Is design approval needed for exterior repairs, and how long does it take?
Who coordinates repairs to shared walls or roofs?
Are there rules about dumpsters, storage containers or contractor parking?

Map of Central Park. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

My rowhouse only got smoke from the unit next door. Whose insurance handles it?

Usually you start with your own policy, which then may seek repayment from the responsible party's insurer. If your association carries a master policy, ask whether it covers any shared elements. Document the smoke in your home with photos and dates right away.

Is newer drywall easier to clean than old plaster?

Painted drywall with light soot can often be cleaned and sealed, but its paper face absorbs odor and water more readily than plaster, so heavily affected drywall is more often cut out and replaced.

General information for Park Hill, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.