Colorado Building Official Nate Romero Mentors and Inspires Industry Professionals

Over 20 years ago, Nathan “Nate” Romero started his career in Arvada, Colorado’s utility department, after growing up in a family of electricians, plumbers, framers and drywallers. Currently, he’s the city’s assistant building official, where he uses his lifelong passion to help his chief with surveys, studies, budget management and code adoption.

Along with supervising his staff, Romero spends much of his time on commercial and residential plan reviews and also prepares reports, memos and letters for internal and external constituents. In addition, he sits on the city of Northglenn’s Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission.

“Nate’s dedication and commitment to building safety and codes are unsurpassed,” said Justin Clark, one of Romero’s Arvada co-workers. “He definitely makes a mark on this industry.”

Experience Through Shadowing Building Officials

Romero recognizes the importance of advisors and a collegial network in building safety work and encourages those entering the industry to find an experienced mentor as well.

“I have leaned on mentors a lot while rising through the ranks of building administration,” he said. “As I move forward, I continue to count on those folks to help shape my career.” 

Romero continues to be surprised by the willingness of others to help with job education and advises newcomers to be open-minded when asking for advice. “Nate is such an amazing person,” said Shaunna Mozingo of Mozingo Code Group, LLC. “He has a passion for building safety and a desire to really help people understand the value and importance of building codes.”

Arvada’s plans examiner, Kyley Flynn, met Romero at the 2018 Code Council conference in Virginia, where they were both selected to shadow Code Council board members. “Nate blew me away with his professionalism, knowledge and sophistication,” Flynn said. “After working with him over the past four years, I can say without a doubt that Nate is one of the most influential people in our industry today.”

Nate also shadowed inspectors and plan reviewers to get hands-on experience in addition to studying trade books.

Importance of Training and Certifications to Succeed as a Building Official

Romero values the ability to be fair and confident with decision-making, to communicate clearly, to accept change and to “attend as much training as possible” to grow and succeed in the industry. Romero utilized many of the International Code Council’s training classes when he studied for his certifications.

Romero’s certifications include:

• Building Inspector
• Commercial and Residential Building Inspector
• Building Plans Examiner
• Residential Plans Examiner
• Residential Electrical Examiner
• Commercial and Residential Energy Plans Examiner
• Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner
• ICC/AACE Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector

Iconic Colorado Chapter Building Official and Building Futures Volunteer

Romero’s learning and leadership goals also extend to his affiliation with the Code Council, where he is a board member for the Colorado Chapter (CCICC). He is heavily involved in the Educational Institute and Building Futures Committee, where he chairs the annual Give-A-Day program at the Wilderness on Wheels camp near Colorado’s Kenosha Pass.

Romero hosts the Educational Institute for one week every March. The event offers over 60 Certified Educ nation Unit (CEU) courses for plan examiners, inspectors, permit technicians and other code officials to maintain certifications. To assist in these classrooms, Romero helps find volunteer ambassadors and also volunteers himself.

“Nate’s altruistic outreach and involvement with CCICC is a family affair,” said Dan Reardon, fellow board member and building official for three Colorado cities. “Nate, his wife Veronica, and their family can always be counted on to pitch in with anything they can offer, from tents to strong backs, leadership, encouragement and smiles.”

A Consummate Building Official

“Nate is always wanting to learn more so that he can help more,” Mozingo observed. “If he knows something that will help people do their job, then he makes sure he shares that information and follows through, ensuring that folks have the best chance at success in this industry. Nate will likely never know the number of people who have benefitted from his contribution to building a safer world.”

Romero said he would eventually like to be a chief building official. In the meantime, he continues to strive to make a difference in his community by ensuring the minimum requirements to safeguard public safety and health, and the general welfare. 

“Nate is always striving to do his best, be part of the best building department and to better our community as well as Colorado’s building industry in general,” said Flynn. “Working alongside him has been a privilege, and I will forever be grateful for his friendship and guidance.”

Do you know a building safety professional who should be featured in the Building Safety Journal? Reach out to communications@iccsafe.org.