After months of discussion, three bipartisan legislative task forces have finalized their recommendations for how Colorado should spend $2.6 billion in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to increase affordable housing, improve Coloradans’ mental health and boost the state’s economic recovery from the pandemic. Now, it’s time for state lawmakers to figure out how they will […]
affordable housing
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Southeastern Colorado struggles to attract home builders. Now federal stimulus will help add 127 homes.
Between the state and private prisons, the sheriff’s office, schools and a growing cannabis cultivation industry, there are plenty of workers who could make Crowley County their home. Except there aren’t enough places for them to live. And, as the supply of houses and apartments has declined in the rural county east of Pueblo, few […]
Posted inHousing, News, Politics and Government
A 401(k) for homeownership? Colorado housing leaders offer up solutions to affordability problem.
A 401(k)-type savings program for homeownership, more funding for federal housing support and a national incentive program modeled after a Colorado policy are among the proposals by a group focused on easing the state’s housing crisis. The “Housing Affordability Strategy Group,” convened by Colorado’s U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Democrats, has been […]
Posted inBusiness, Economy, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s taxable home values could skyrocket in 2023
The taxable value of Colorado homes is expected to rise dramatically in 2023, according to the most recent forecast by the General Assembly’s economists – and not just in the white hot Front Range and mountain resort real estate markets. As families flee high housing prices in those areas, they’re pushing up prices on Denver’s […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Outdoors, Outsider
Epic crowds are colliding with epic labor shortages at ski areas
Alex Kaufman thought it would be an amusing website. Something to poke fun at the largest resort operator in North America. So he bought epicliftlines.com for $12 last March, just as Vail Resorts announced a plan to slash the price of its popular Epic Pass by 20%. “I thought ‘Oh, this could become a thing. […]
Posted inBusiness, Economy, Equity, Growth, Housing, News
Westminster clears controversial Uplands development proposal for “the Farm”
By Luke Zarzecki, The Westminster Window After three long nights of debate and testimony, the Westminster City Council voted 5-2 to approve the controversial plan to convert a large swath of farmland into the 2,350-home Uplands development. Councilors voted at the end of their Monday meeting, which ran until almost 1 a.m. Tuesday and was […]
Posted inHousing, News
Aspen suspends new home construction permits as it drops the hammer in the name of affordability
Aspen’s city council this week stopped issuing not just short-term rental permits, but permits for all home construction as the city struggles with a critical lack of affordable housing and the increasing use of homes by vacationers. A moratorium, passed unanimously by emergency ordinance Wednesday night after two meetings in two days, goes beyond suspending […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Use Colorado’s federal stimulus funds to build more affordable homes
Homeownership transforms families and communities. The stability and financial security provided by an affordable, safe home is a proven launching pad for homeowners and their families to realize their full potential, achieve greater levels of success, and build intergenerational wealth. Lack of access to homeownership is a root cause of inequity: the typical white family […]
Posted inBusiness, Housing, News
Colorado mountain communities vote “yes” on new short-term rental fees but reject heavier regulation
Colorado voters in several resort communities approved increased fees and taxes meant to squeeze more revenue for affordable housing from short-term rentals. But voters in end-of-the-road Crested Butte and Telluride stopped short of heavier restrictions intended to slow and limit short-term rentals in the tourist-dependent communities. Jim Day, who is retired and lives part time […]
Posted inEconomy, Growth, Health, Housing, News
One of Denver’s poorest, most diverse neighborhoods was a food desert. Until now.
When Selena Ramirez was growing up, shopping for groceries was an hours-long ordeal that involved riding the city bus miles away with her mom and little brother and lugging home bags of food. On days when that was too much, they bought instant noodles or Hot Pockets at the 7-Eleven on Federal Boulevard, the only […]