Officers

Rachel Patterson

President

City of Centennial

Rachel Patterson is a lifelong code enforcement professional with over 17 years of enforcement experience within the industry. Rachel enforcement career has span from working in the private sector, to the public sector, and working within a local Police Department. She has a positive outlook and approach to gaining compliance, as she believes everyone’s story matters.

Rachel 's passion is customer service. The ability to bring communities and individuals together for "creating, enhancing and maintaining quality of life and safe standards within the community.” is what she stands for. Rachel's approach to customer service reminds us that a human element and touch is what makes you love our job everyday. Having a positive outlook and a servant leadership mentality makes all the difference in the world when seeking swift and voluntary compliance.

Rachel currently serves on numerous CCICC committees and Co-chairs the Program committee, providing all training and event opportunities for the Chapter and members!

When she is not living the word of code enforcement, she is spending time with her children and thinking of ways to better serve our profession.

[email protected]

Heather Whitaker

Vice President

City of Arvada

I have been in the building industry for 10 years now. I started in this industry as an admin assistant for a code consulting firm. From there I became a building inspector, HERS rater, firestop inspector, code consultant, and now am a combination plans examiner for Adams County. I have a passion for education and serving the people around me. I have taught several classes at the CCICC Ed Institute ranging from Energy Code Plan Review to Submittal Requirements for Permit Techs. I served on the board of directors for the Colorado Association of Permit Techs (CAPT) for 2 years. I have served as Chair of the Membership committee for the Chapter since 2022 and served on the board of directors since 2023.

In my personal time my daughter and I race motocross, ride horses, and love spending time in the Colorado mountains.

[email protected]

Todd Jilbert

Secretary

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control

 

First, I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors. I am humbled and honored. I owe a lot to this organization. I have dedicated over 26 years to the fire and life safety industry. From covering nine states representing a leading manufacturer, to opening a specialty contractor as a managing partner, to co-founding a code consulting and third-party inspection agency with my wife, Sara Jilbert, I’ve experienced the many sides of our industry. I currently serve as a Fire Inspector for the State of Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control in the Acute Healthcare Unit. Our mission is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property, resources, environment, and quality of life in Colorado. It is a very rewarding career that I thoroughly enjoy.

 

I have dedicated my career to advancing fire life safety codes, standards and the education thereof. I believe wholeheartedly that enforcement starts with education. We must strive to be educators first and enforcers second. Over the years, I have and will continue to enjoy presenting courses on the fundamentals of fire-resistance-rated assemblies and passive fire containment systems. I sit on several codes and standards committees and enjoy the continued education they provide me.

 

On a personal note, I enjoy spending time with my family, my wife and 2 daughters, getting outdoors, skiing, riding my Harley, my vinyl record collection, and cooking. In my not-too-distant past, I was an award-winning competition BBQ Pit Master. I still find time to smoke a few briskets and ribs every now and then. I’m an alumnus of San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, which has nothing to do with fire and life safety codes.

 

I look forward to contributing to CCICC this year and in the future.

 

[email protected]

 

Bonnie Muhigirwa

Director

City of Aspen

Bonnie Muhigirwa is the Chief Building Official for the City of Aspen. She has been with Aspen for 17 years, starting as a permit technician and progressing to plans examiner/inspector, deputy building official, and into her current role. Her involvement with ICC at the national level includes serving on the governing committee for the Building Membership Council, the ADMIN Code Development Committee, and the 2027 IECC Commercial and Residential Admin Subgroups.
She is currently Secretary for the Region XI Board of Directors. Outside of work she loves to ski and hike and attend her kids’ soccer and basketball games. Her family loves to travel and their favorite places to visit are Rwanda, France, Cuba, and Chile. She's very excited to join the Board of Directors and looks forward to supporting all of the incredible work of the Colorado Chapter.
[email protected]

 

 

Alan Kee

Director

Larimer County
Alan Kee is one of the newly elected CCICC Board of Directors.  He is a Code Compliance Inspector with Larimer County, specializing in Building, Land Use, and Floodplain Enforcement.  Alan is actively involved in the Larimer County Damage Assessment Team, which has included deployment to the Alexander Mountain and Cameron Peak Fires, along with minor floods in Larimer County. He has been in the Building Safety industry for the past 9 years; serving as a Code Compliance Inspector, Plans Examiner and Building Inspector. Prior to working for the county, Alan worked in the Construction Industry, both in Commercial and Residential, for over 15 years; including owning his own business for 5 years.  Since joining the CCICC in 2016 he has been involved with the Educational Institute and the Education Committee; first volunteering as a Class Ambassador and now as the Co-Chair of the Education Committee. Alan is dedicated to education within our industry and helping code officials, designers, homeowners and contractors understand the “why” of code.

Andre Jaen

Director

Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

Andre Jaen performs plan reviews and inspections for his jurisdiction and serves as a consultant and instructor for Shums Coda Associates. Jaen is a Colorado native with 15 years of experience in the building safety industry. He began as a temporary inspector with the City of Lakewood, CO before becoming a full-time building inspector with Jefferson County, CO. After a time inspecting, Jaen was promoted to Permit Supervisor and supported a team of permit technicians. Later, he became Manager of Operations, supervising front office and plan review staff and supporting the organization as an acting building official. He moved then began with Shums Coda in June 2024.
Andre was elected to the International Code Council's Board of Directors in 2023 where he continues to serve as the Section C Director. Jaen holds 30 professional certifications including Certified Building Official, Certified Sustainability Professional and Master Code Professional. He was also a founding member of the ICC's Emerging Leaders Membership Council, serving as Chair from 2020-2022, as well as serving on the Building Membership Council Governing Committee 2022-23 and is the 2021 recipient of the Emory R Rogers Fellowship in Building Safety Leadership Award. Jaen holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.

 

Melinda Helmer

Director

Town of Erie, Colorado

I currently serve as the Business Operations Coordinator for the Town of Erie, bringing over 30 years of experience in municipal government. For the past two decades, my focus has been primarily in the building industry, where I’ve developed a deep understanding of permitting, operations, and community development.

For 20+ years, I’ve been an active member of the Colorado Association of Permit Technicians (CAPT), including 14 years on the Board of Directors. I’m honored to serve as the current Vice President of CAPT. My involvement with CAPT and the Colorado Chapter has not only allowed me to collaborate with talented peers and leaders from across the state, but it has also given me a meaningful way to give back to a profession that has greatly shaped my career.

I’m proud to be a Certified Permit Technician and to hold the Certified Municipal Clerk designation through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC). I see lifelong learning as essential to both personal and professional success, and I’m passionate about supporting others as they grow and develop. Whether it’s through promoting educational opportunities or supporting outreach efforts, I’m committed to strengthening our profession and the communities we serve.

When I’m not working, I love spending quality time with my kids and family. Photography and reading are two of my favorite ways to unwind and stay connected to creativity and continuous growth.

 

[email protected]

 

Joseph Montoya

Treasurer

City of Centennial

Biography and picture coming soon

 

Nate Romero

Past President

Jefferson County

Nate Romero is honored to serve as the Colorado Chapter of ICC President for the 2025 year. Nate brings over 24 years of experience with the City of Arvada, transitioning from the Utility Department to the Building Department a decade into his tenure. With roles ranging from Building Inspection to Combination Plans Examination, Nate now serves as Deputy Building Official, wielding unparalleled expertise in code compliance.

Beyond his professional duties, Nate is a steadfast advocate for industry education and community service. He leads the Education Committee, co-chairs Give a Day initiatives, and contributes to the Building Futures Committee within the Colorado Chapter. Additionally, Nate lends his expertise to the City of Northglenn's Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission, embodying his dedication to community betterment.

Nate’s journey has been shaped by mentors, fueling his commitment to mentoring the next generation in the industry. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring new destinations, staying active, and cherishing moments with his family.

[email protected]