Colorado Democratic lawmakers gut governor's affordable housing bill

Democrats neutered their own bill to address affordable housing, a significant blow to Gov. Jared Polis.

What's new: The legislation no longer includes controversial mandates on land use that would have allowed higher-density housing, such as apartments and accessory dwelling units, in single-family neighborhoods.

• The rewrite — approved Wednesday and sent to the Senate — now provides $15 million to study local housing needs and offers a menu of policies for communities to consider.
• The language also makes clear that a statewide solution is not possible and gives mountain resort communities their own affordable housing options.

The backstory: The original legislation — touted by Polis and sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno — would have preempted local control on zoning decisions by transferring the authority to the state.

• Polis and housing advocates argued local growth limits and zoning rules made housing more costly and a statewide solution was needed to increase affordability. But it drew a fierce backlash from local governments and homeowners.
• Polis and Moreno (D-Commerce City) each declined to comment specifically on the changes to the bill.

Of note: Democratic lawmakers also split Tuesday on the issue of rent control.

• Democratic state Sen. Dylan Roberts joined with Republicans to reject his own party's legislation to remove a state prohibition on rent control and allowed local governments to develop their own programs.