The COVID-19 pandemic intensified a housing crisis defined by skyrocketing prices and a severe lack of supply — Denver was not spared. According to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors, median home and condo prices surged by 38.5% between March 2020 and April 2022, peaking at $616,500, an unattainable price for many prospective homeowners.
This crisis has disproportionately affected communities of color. Due to the long legacy of discriminatory practices like redlining — which denied mortgage insurance in or near Black neighborhoods — Black Coloradans are now 50% less likely than white Coloradans to own a home.
Fortunately, Colorado’s political leadership, including Sen. Tony Exum, the Legislative Black Caucus, and Gov. Jared Polis, recognized that this disparity cannot continue. They’ve taken meaningful steps to incentivize housing construction, aiming to reduce costs and increase supply. And the early signs are promising: by the end of March, nearly 10,000 condos and single-family homes were for sale in the Denver metro area — a 67% increase from the previous year.
These gains are encouraging, but more work is needed. First, we must better utilize the land we already have, especially in communities that need housing the most. House Bill 1169, introduced this year, is a step in that direction. Known as the “Yes in God’s Backyard” bill, it allows faith-based organizations and educational institutions, such as school districts, colleges, and universities, to build housing on their own vacant lots, which are often restricted by outdated local zoning laws.
HB 1169 cuts through red tape, enabling these institutions to expand their community-focused missions while unlocking new opportunities for affordable housing development across the state. Yet, some legislators whose districts would benefit most have shown reluctance. They need to hear from those of us committed to creative, effective solutions.
Once land access is improved, we must be strategic about the types of housing we build. Denver needs 5,000 new apartments annually to meet demand and ease costs. However, over three-quarters of residential zones are dedicated to single-family homes — the least efficient and most expensive housing type to build and maintain. While single-family homes remain the traditional ideal, we must embrace multifamily housing options such as apartments, duplexes, and condos. These allow for more units in high-demand areas and more attainable price points for working families. If Colorado is serious about solving its housing crisis, compact, inclusive, and efficient development must be part of the solution.
Another promising piece of legislation introduced this year is House Bill 1273, which would modernize Colorado’s building codes to allow apartments designed around a single central staircase. Current standards require two staircases per building, usually at either end of a long hallway, for emergency egress. HB 1273 would permit single-staircase designs in communities with strong fire protection capabilities, aligning Colorado with building practices already safely used in New York City, Seattle, Honolulu, Western Europe, and Asia. This change would allow builders to design more space-efficient buildings with larger units that still meet safety requirements, particularly beneficial for families and cost-conscious developers alike.
We are making meaningful strides toward ensuring that all Denver families can access affordable, suitable housing. The legislative proposals introduced this year build on previous progress by reducing barriers to development, expanding the types of housing we build, and updating outdated regulations.
Denver’s housing crisis didn’t emerge overnight, and it won’t be solved overnight. But with strong legislative leadership and community advocacy, we can move toward a future where every family has a fair shot at a safe and affordable home.
Bianka Emerson is president of the Colorado Black Women for Political Action, a member of the State of Colorado Environmental Justice Advisory Board, and a longtime community activist.
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