Colorado governor looks to strong-arm local governments on housing
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Gov. Jared Polis. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post
To boost affordable housing, Colorado softened local occupancy and parking limits, promoted accessory dwelling units, repealed safety requirements, and incentivized factory-built homes and those near transit hubs.
Why it matters: These new laws, signed in 2024 and 2025, are intended to override not-in-my-backyard housing policies and address the 100,000-unit shortage in the state.
Yes, but: Few localities are embracing the new rules, and the affordable housing crisis remains as serious as ever.
The intrigue: Gov. Jared Polis blames obstinate local governments for the slow progress. He issued an executive order to effectively strong-arm them into compliance by withholding state grant dollars.
- The administration will compile a list by early October of compliant and non-compliant local governments to prioritize which get money.
What he's saying: The goal is to "make sure that our limited state resources are used for the maximum possible result, to unleash housing in communities across our state," Polis told us at a recent event.
The other side: Several Front Range cities filed a lawsuit last week, arguing the new housing laws and executive order are unconstitutional because they infringe on local control.
- Furthermore, a recent memo sent to the administration disputes the state's ability to legally withhold dollars, comparing the move to President Trump's actions.
- Local advocates also highlighted that Polis previously supported local control, but now he's fighting against it.
What they're saying: "Colorado municipalities will not be bullied by an administration and legislature that gives lip service to local control but does not understand or respect home rule authority," Kevin Bommer, the Colorado Municipal League's executive director, said in a statement.
The bottom line: Westminster Councilmember Obi Ezeadi told us he disagrees with the lawsuit approach, calling it ineffective, and wants to see more negotiation.
- "Both sides agree housing is an issue," he said in an interview. "The methods and how we get there — there will always be disagreements."