Denver, CO – The House Committee of Transportation, Housing & Local Government passed HB24-1313, which removes burdensome barriers to encourage building more affordable homes near transit & city centers, empowers local governments to meet the housing needs of their communities, expands financial assistance to cities and counties that allow for more housing, and helps residents stay in their communities. Passing this bill would be an important step toward addressing Colorado’s housing crisis.
Before the bill was heard in committee, bill sponsors, Conservation Colorado, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Centennial State Prosperity hosted a press conference at the transit stop on 10th Ave. and Osage St.
“Colorado’s outdated policies have forced us to live further and further away from our homes and schools, and therefore we have to drive further and further to get to the places that we want to go,” said Jessica Goad, Vice President of Programs of Conservation Colorado. “Driving more worsens our air quality and increases greenhouse gas pollution. From our perspective, HB1313 is one of the most important climate bills that will be in front of the legislature this year and we urge all legislators who support climate action and better air quality to vote yes on this bill.”
“This housing crisis is not just impacting Colorado families and small businesses in the short-term, it has long-term effects on our ability to grow our economy,” said Carly West, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Our business communities across the state rely on a strong workforce and the ability to attract the best and brightest to be successful. Our members have consistently told us that they are struggling to find the staff and talent that they need to thrive. That’s why we are supporting House Bill 1313 to allow the state to empower local governments to zone more land near transit to help address the housing shortage, increase accessibility to jobs and our economic centers, and ensure people can stay in our great state.”
“House Bill 1313 will empower local governments to build more, desperately needed housing near transit,” said Alison Coombs, Aurora City Councilmember At-Large. “Housing is the number one issue facing my constituents in Aurora. But the hardworking people I represent aren’t just looking for a home they can afford, but for a home in or accessible to the city that they love. House Bill 1313 will help alleviate this housing crisis by ensuring we are building more housing near transit so that working people can afford to stay in their communities.”
Centennial State Prosperity compiled recent data from the Census Bureau and other sources in a new report to show how Colorado’s housing crisis has gone out of control. Read the report HERE. According to a January poll from Keating Research, 68% of voters support a state law requiring cities and counties to allow more housing to be built near business and shopping districts, bus stops, and train stations and providing financial assistance to cities and counties for these projects.