Gov. Polis, State Legislators & Community Members Highlight Legislation to Address Housing Affordability in Colorado

Press Release

Today, Governor Jared Polis was joined by Senator Jeff Bridges, Representative David Ortiz, and community leaders to announce efforts to tackle Colorado's housing costs, leveraging a once-in-a-generation opportunity provided by $400 million for housing relief in American Recovery Plan Act funds. Developed from recommendations made by the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force, proposed legislation takes an all-hands-on-deck approach, including grant, revolving loans, and incentive programs to engage community partners representing a broad range of needs -- from innovative housing businesses to local governments and community developers. These programs are designed to better provide affordable housing solutions that hardworking Coloradans deserve.

"Houses cost too much in Colorado, and we need to be bold and do even more to make Colorado more liveable. This package will help bring about a future with more housing that people can actually afford to buy or rent, reduce the cost of first-time homeownership and help Coloradans save money with shorter commute to work or school," said Gov. Polis "More housing near where jobs are will help lower costs, reduce traffic and pollution, improve access to housing for hardworking people, teachers, parents and individuals while helping our entire economy."

Earlier today, Gov. Polis visited Valor on the Fax, an affordable housing facility in Denver. Last week, the Governor visited Miller Ranch in Eagle County, an affordable workforce housing development in Eagle County, and signed into law the bipartisan HB22-1117 Use of Local Lodging Tax Revenue to help local governments address housing, childcare, and other needs in communities and promote tourism. This new bipartisan law was sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts, Rep. Marc Catlin, Sen. Kerry Donovan and Sen. Don Coram.

"Conceived and developed by Brothers Redevelopment and the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, Valor on the Fax is a first-of-its kind supportive housing community that will support individuals with acquired brain injury and related disability--many of whom have been struggling with housing instability and homelessness. Designed with trauma informed design principles to address one of the state's most pressing housing challenges, the project was only made possible with substantial public investment from the City and County of Denver, the Colorado Division of Housing and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. Valor shows the gains that can be made to meet the need for significant, and ongoing, funding from the federal, state and local government," said Jeff Martinez, President, Brothers Redevelopment.

State lawmakers discussed their transformational legislation today to help make housing more affordable today at the State Capitol.

"Families are feeling squeezed as housing prices continue to skyrocket across our state, leaving far too many without housing options they can afford," said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. "This package of bills represents an historic investment to cut costs and make Colorado a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family. By developing more housing that families can afford, we can ensure that more Coloradans have a safe place to call home."

"To solve Colorado's crisis in affordable housing, we must encourage developers and the construction industry to expand our inventory," said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. "The task force made the Transformational Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Program a top priority because of the regenerative nature of the funds attached. The availability of affordable housing allows us to make progress on the solution of myriad other problems in Colorado, and it's imperative that we act now."

"Mobile home parks are Colorado's closest thing to "naturally-occurring' affordable housing," said Senator Julie Gonzales, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force. "But just like the rest of us, mobile home park residents are feeling the pressure of skyrocketing housing costs. SB 160 will allow Coloradans to invest in their own communities, own their own homes, and drive down the cost of housing across the state."

"To support our growing economy, we need more middle-income workforce housing so Coloradans can live in the same communities where they work," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "The Middle Income Access Program has successfully bridged the housing affordability gap for many middle-income Coloradans, and this bill invests $25 million to further the program efforts. Together, we're saving Coloradans money on housing by building more affordable workforce housing throughout the state."

"We're working toward innovative solutions to address Colorado's affordable housing crisis," said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights. "Legislation I'm sponsoring will boost construction of homes that can be built efficiently while meeting our state's ever-increasing demand for affordable housing. These modular and manufactured homes are innovative, affordable and will save hardworking Coloradans money on housing while boosting homeownership in our state."

"We're making one of the largest investments in Colorado history to make housing more affordable across our state," said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. "This bill will invest $150 million to build more affordable, quality housing units and preserve existing affordable homes. Leveraging private and local dollars, our investment in the revolving loan fund will stretch further and help fulfill the homeownership dream for more Coloradans while saving them money in the process."

Community leaders representing a range of housing needs in communities from across the state voiced their support for the legislation highlighted today.

"The lack of affordable housing across Colorado has reached crisis levels. The recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force, and the resulting legislation and funding will create new partnerships and collaboration between the State and Counties. The new housing developments which are built as a result will have a truly transformative impact in the lives of Coloradans," said Tamara Pogue, Summit County Commissioner who spoke at today's press conference.

"Workforce and affordable housing has long been an issue in Eagle County and across the mountain region. Addressing our affordable housing issue is essential to the continued success and livability of our community. Vail Valley Partnership applauds everyone involved in helping develop the workforce housing bills at the state legislature and Governor's Office and we applaud and appreciate the commitment to the future of our state as demonstrated by this financial investment," said Chris Romer, President & CEO, Vail Valley Partnership.

"The affordable housing crisis has hit people with disabilities, the poorest demographic in Colorado, particularly hard. We welcome any opportunity to address this systemic problem. Housing is the key to stability," said Julie Raskin, Executive Director, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition.

"Smartpads would like to add our support to this legislation. We look forward to working with the state in an effort to build affordable housing options in the State of Colorado," said Kristara Mielke, CO, SmartPads Prefab Construction Solutions.

"We applaud Gov. Polis and the Colorado General Assembly for initiating this historic investment in our state's housing future. We are especially excited about The Innovative Housing Incentive Program which addresses both the supply and demand sides of affordable housing in our state, and is exactly the type of forward-thinking investment we need to ensure a future where every Coloradan has access to stable and affordable homes in vibrant and diverse communities. Like our counterparts in the affordable housing arena, Maiker Housing Partners looks forward to utilizing the funding and access provided by this historic legislation to drive the creation of affordable housing options in Adams County for generations to come," said Peter LiFari, Executive Director of Maiker Housing Partners.

"As the Chair and Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force Subpanel, it is exciting to see the ideas that we offered to the General Assembly come together in the form of legislative initiatives. We are honored to be negotiating to make sure that each of these bills addresses the unique needs of communities across the state and makes transformational change for Colorado families," said Cathy Alderman, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless & Brian Rossbert, Housing Colorado - Chair and Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force Subpanel.

"Finding dignified affordable housing is particularly challenging for older Coloradans. Many are on reduced or fixed incomes. Increases in property taxes, utility payments and the cost of prescription drugs too often force older adults to choose between paying for food, life-saving medications or a roof over their heads. AARP Colorado appreciates Legislative and Executive Branch efforts to address this statewide crisis," Bob Murphy, State Director, AARP Colorado.

"The affordable housing crisis in our state is severe, when the prices of a single family home year over year have jumped astronomically raising more than $90,000 from last year, these prices make Colorado one of the most expensive markets in the country compared to actual wages. That's why we're proud to see our state supporting critically important measures such as HB 1282, SB 159, and HB 1304 that bring innovative prefabricated, modular and manufactured space housing business to Colorado and prioritize adding supply of new affordable housing with significant and transformative housing dollars to work hand in hand with local governments to answer the passionate voices of civil servants and working families all across our state who want to keep living in the vibrant communities that make a Colorado great place to live, work and play," said Liz Peets, Vice President of Government Affairs, Colorado Association of Realtors.

"These bills represent an unprecedented investment in addressing Colorado's affordable housing crisis. As a member of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force SubPanel, I am grateful to be continuing the collaborative work of ensuring communities, individuals, and families hurt most by the pandemic meaningfully benefit from these much-needed programs," said Kinsey Hasstedt, State and Local Policy Director, Enterprise Community Partners.

"Denver Housing Authority is grateful for the work of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force's work to re-envision affordable housing opportunities in our state. The only way out of the housing crisis is to reimagine what affordable housing looks like and how it is implemented. We are in full support of this legislation and the opportunities it provides to make housing more affordable in Colorado alongside saving Colorado residents money on housing costs," said David Nisivoccia, Executive Director, Denver Housing Authority.

"As a coalition of 20 mission-based housing organizations, the Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NDC) is ecstatic about the introduction of these bills. Together, they represent a tenfold increase in Colorado's efforts to address the housing crisis, and will significantly bolster the ability of housing providers across the state to increase housing stability and housing opportunity," said Jonathan Cappelli, Executive Director, Neighborhood Development Collaborative.

"I applaud Colorado's willingness to pursue innovative ways to address our housing needs," said Tawney Peyton, Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Home Association and Utah Housing Alliance.

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