Colorado Lawmakers Advance Bill to Turn Underused Land Into Homes: Faster, Cheaper, and Closer to Where People Live

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Denver, CO — A major step toward addressing Colorado’s housing crisis passed through the legislature this week as the House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government voted 9–4 to advance the HOME Act (HB26-1001).

The bill slashes through long-standing red tape that has kept centrally located land—owned by schools, universities, transit agencies, housing authorities, and proven nonprofit developers—sitting empty while housing costs skyrocket across the state.

By streamlining approval processes for trusted public and nonprofit partners, the HOME Act allows housing to be built near jobs, schools, and transit, reducing costs, limiting sprawl, and accelerating timelines. Projects covered by the bill move through review 28% faster on average, helping homes get built when they’re needed most.

“This bill is about building housing in the heart of our communities,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker. “When we put underused land to work, we lower costs, strengthen neighborhoods, and help Coloradans stay rooted where they belong.”

Colorado’s housing shortage has driven families farther from opportunity, strained school districts, and made it harder for workers to stay in the communities they serve. Supporters say the HOME Act offers a practical, statewide fix by empowering institutions already embedded in their communities to help meet housing demand.

“Local zoning processes are slow, costly, and unresponsive to the scale of the crisis,” said Aaron Miripol, President and CEO of the Urban Land Conservancy. “HB26-1001 gives nonprofit affordable housing developers the ability to respond with the urgency this moment demands.”

For local leaders, the bill connects housing affordability directly to education, enrollment, and community stability.

“As a city councilor and a teacher, I see the housing crisis from every angle,” said Fort Collins City Councilor Chris Conway. “Declining enrollment has forced difficult decisions in our school system. Schools and nonprofits should be allowed to be part of the housing solution—and this bill makes that possible.”

Building homes closer to where people already live and work also carries climate and infrastructure benefits.

“This approach keeps neighborhoods strong, schools open, and cuts pollution at the same time,” Conway added.

Housing advocates say the committee vote sends a strong signal that lawmakers are ready to move beyond incremental fixes.

“Making it easier to build affordable housing is essential to lowering costs for working families,” said Laura “Pinky” Reinsch, Executive Director of Centennial State Prosperity. “The HOME Act removes unnecessary barriers that have blocked housing in the very places people need it most.”

Centennial State Prosperity recently released new data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other sources showing how severely Colorado’s housing supply has fallen behind demand. Read the full report HERE.

Laura “Pinky” Reinsch

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Executive Director | Centennial State Prosperity

(Contract provided by Siegel Long Public Affairs)

719-510-5254

[email protected]

www.centennialstateprosperity.org

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