Housing Forward
Colorado
Housing Forward Colorado is a pro-housing and smart growth advocacy campaign working to ensure that Colorado builds homes that people can afford in the places they want to live — in walkable, connected communities near jobs, transit, and local businesses.
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Building a More Affordable, Sustainable, and Livable Colorado
Colorado’s housing prices have risen by 62% since 2017, partly due to a historic underproduction that has led to a shortage of more than 100,000 homes. The housing crisis affects everyone – from young professionals priced out of homeownership, to families spending over half their income on rent, to longtime residents facing displacement and potential homelessness. Essential workers such as teachers, childcare providers, and nurses can no longer afford to live where they work. The lack of housing opportunities in places people want to live also fuels sprawl onto open space and natural lands. This leads to more climate pollution, longer commute times, higher transportation costs, and more water consumption.
We advocate for smart land use policies that expand housing choices in urban areas to lower costs and create more walkable, transit-friendly communities. By supporting homes near jobs and transit, we can reduce congestion, protect Colorado’s natural lands, and build more affordable, healthy, and inclusive communities.
Building a More Affordable, Sustainable, and Livable Colorado
Colorado’s housing shortage forces seniors and families out of their communities and increases traffic and commute times. Sprawling development in the suburbs also worsens climate change in multiple ways: by raising carbon emissions, increasing energy use, and taking over natural lands.
We push for smarter policies that expand housing choices, lower costs, and create walkable neighborhoods with plenty of public transit. By allowing homes near jobs and services, we can ease congestion, protect Colorado’s landscapes, and create healthier, happier, and more affordable communities.
Who we are
Colorado doesn’t have enough homes in the places people want to live, making housing unaffordable and worsening our transportation and climate challenges. We are working to change that by advocating for more affordable housing choices in walkable, connected communities while discouraging unsustainable sprawl and protecting our climate.
We work at the intersection of housing, transportation, and climate policy to:
Expand home choices by updating zoning and land use laws that limit housing options and prevent development near jobs and transit.
Lower housing costs by making it easier to build more housing and aligning incentives and infrastructure investments with smart growth.
Support walkable and transit-friendly communities with more affordable and convenient transportation options.
Prevent urban sprawl by encouraging efficient, smart growth that protects Colorado’s open space and natural lands.
What We’re Fighting For:
Featured Policies
Housing Forward Colorado is working in partnership with state and local governments, community groups, and builders to ensure that recent statewide land use laws are effectively implemented at the local level.
We also advocate for additional reforms to expand housing options and create a more sustainable and resilient Colorado for all residents.
Transit-Oriented Communities (HB24-1313)
Minimum Parking Requirements Reform (HB24-1304)
Accessory Dwelling Units (HB24-1152)
Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits (HB24-1007)
Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance (SB24-174)
What We’re Fighting For Featured Policies
Housing Forward Colorado is working to ensure that recent statewide housing reforms are effectively implemented at the local level.
These policies are only the beginning. We continue to advocate for additional reforms that will expand housing access and create a more livable Colorado for all residents.
Transit-Oriented Communities (HB24-1313)
Minimum Parking Requirements Reform (HB24-1304)
Accessory Dwelling Units (HB24-1152)
Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits (HB24-1007)
Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance (SB24-174)
How You Can Take Action
Colorado’s housing shortage will not solve itself. By taking action, you can help ensure that pro-housing policies are enacted and enforced in communities across the state.
Write to Your Legislator
Urge state and local leaders to support housing reform.
Stay Informed
Follow our latest reports, research, and updates to understand the issues and more effectively advocate for change. Subscribe now.
Join a Local Pro-Housing Group
Connect with advocates working to improve housing policies in your community.
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We are working diligently to ensure that every Coloradan can find a home they can afford in a thriving community.
But we can’t do it alone—our work is powered by people like you.