The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has reported that many local governments are complying with state laws aimed at strategic growth, with some jurisdictions meeting requirements ahead of deadlines. This update follows Governor Jared Polis’ Executive Order from May 16, 2025, which required DOLA to assess compliance with seven laws passed in 2024 and 2025 focused on housing and land use.
There is also notable voluntary participation from local governments not directly subject to these initiatives. These jurisdictions are engaging early to become eligible or prioritized for funding programs that support local strategic growth.
Governor Jared Polis commented, “Coloradans want more housing we can afford in the communities we want to live in, and we have taken important steps forward over the last few years. It’s clear that communities across the state are removing obstacles and regulations that prevent housing from being built and expanding housing options. I applaud these local leaders and look forward to this continued work to make housing more affordable in our state. I’m particularly excited that a number of cities have gone above and beyond the state law including by eliminating parking requirements altogether.”
Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of DOLA, said, “We are seeing local governments, like Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Longmont, Wheat Ridge, Larimer County and Fort Collins to name a few, implement these strategic growth laws at a high level, which showcases the sheer amount of work already done by these communities to build more housing for Coloradans. We know that getting this right is so crucial for Colorado, and we will continue working closely with local governments to support them in the successful implementation of these programs that will have positive effects for generations to come.”
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade added, “We are pleased that the City of Colorado Springs is in compliance with the state’s executive order. This confirmation maintains our eligibility for state funding for the projects that help make housing more affordable and attainable for our residents. Our ongoing partnership with the state has been vital in driving these initiatives forward. Much of this progress began years ago through our own efforts and code changes, even before my time in office, and we’ll continue to collaborate with the state while leading with solutions that reflect our community’s values and our home rule authority.”
Larimer County Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally stated, “There is no silver bullet when it comes to solving the affordability crisis in our state. Addressing this crisis requires strong partnerships and utilization of an array of planning tools and development approaches. Here in Larimer County, we saw the promise of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and wanted to take advantage of the state’s grant program to incentivize the building of these housing units.”
Matt Frommer from Housing Forward Colorado campaign at Southwest Energy Efficiency Project remarked, “As advocates for efficient and climate-friendly urban growth, we are heartened to see so many municipalities embracing planning best practices by aligning their codes with the state’s 2024 housing and land use laws. Expanding housing choices and removing excessive parking mandates are smart moves that will make Colorado communities more affordable and environmentally sustainable.”
Peter LiFari of Maiker Housing Partners said: “Homebuilding is a costly endeavor – fraught with risk and cultural pushback – but zoning and building code innovations, once adopted at the local level, can help reduce that risk and, in turn, the cost of housing. When state and local governments align to create clear, reliable pathways, they make it possible for builders to deliver mortgage- and rent-capacity-aligned homes that meet the needs of Colorado families. The communities that have embraced these land use laws are helping to de-risk the very act of building homes – especially the affordable and attainable homes Coloradans can truly afford.”
The legislation signed into law over 2024-2025 aims to increase available housing across income levels by encouraging construction near transit corridors while reducing regulatory barriers such as minimum parking requirements or lengthy review processes.
Compliance status as assessed by DOLA as of October 3 shows varying levels across different legislative requirements:
– For HB24-1152 (Accessory Dwelling Units), only a small percentage (9%) were fully compliant by June 30 deadline; most were making progress.
– HB24-1313 (Transit-Oriented Communities) saw a majority (60%) submit preliminary reports on time.
– SB24-174 (Housing Planning Needs Assessments) does not require full compliance until December 31 next year; about a quarter have already met requirements.
Other laws such as those concerning parking minimums or occupancy limits either do not require immediate reporting or assume compliance unless evidence shows otherwise.
Compliance will be considered when scoring applications for 34 grant opportunities across agencies such as DOLA itself; however, it is not a strict condition for eligibility or grounds for withholding funds.
DOLA continues its support efforts through technical assistance meetings, webinars—34 hosted since June 2024—and resources developed specifically for local governments navigating new requirements.
Recent analysis from Colorado’s State Demography Office shows a continuing shortfall in available homes—estimated at about 106,000 units statewide as of 2023—though gains have been made since a peak deficit in 2019.
Updates on compliance status will be provided quarterly as directed by executive order.
