The Colorado Springs City Council has approved a resolution supporting home rule municipalities involved in legal action against the State of Colorado. The dispute centers on new state housing laws and executive orders that override local land use and zoning authority.
The council’s resolution emphasizes the city’s constitutional right to self-governance, referencing Article XX, Section 6 of the Colorado Constitution. It also expresses support for six other home rule cities—Greenwood Village, Arvada, Aurora, Glendale, Lafayette, and Westminster—that have filed a lawsuit challenging House Bills 24-1304 and 24-1313 as well as Executive Orders D 2025 005 and 011.
“These state mandates strip away the ability of local governments to make decisions that reflect the unique needs and values of their communities,” said Brian Risley, Council President Pro Tem. “Colorado Springs stands firmly in support of local control and the voices of our residents.”
House Bill 24-1304 removes minimum parking requirements for certain developments. House Bill 24-1313 requires high-density housing near transit areas. The City Council contends these measures limit public input, bypass established zoning procedures, and apply uniform solutions to varied communities.
The resolution also criticizes Governor Jared Polis’ Executive Order D 2025 005 for threatening to deprioritize discretionary state funding for municipalities not complying with the new housing laws. On October 9, 2025, the plaintiff cities requested an injunction to temporarily halt enforcement of these executive orders due to alleged constitutional violations and possible harm to local governance.
Earlier this year, on May 27, the City Council passed another resolution opposing the Governor’s executive order and reiterating its stance on maintaining local control.
