We feel it’s important to educate Colorado homeowners about a new bill introduced into the Colorado Legislature. Senate Bill 23-213 represents the MOST sweeping change in how our residential communities are zoned in a hundred years, and it affects every single community across the state. It targets the Denver Metro/I-25 corridor with the most sweeping changes. This bill is being heard at the capitol, and our legislators need to hear our voices, whether in opposition or support.
Most homeowners in neighborhoods that have one home on one lot believe that the only kind of new development that can happen on their street are remodels and possibly scrapes. One house goes down; one house goes up. If this bill passes, everything can change. Every single lot in the Denver Metro Area could have anywhere from two to six residences. Neither your city’s zoning codes nor your neighborhood’s HOA covenants can prevent it under the language currently set forth in the bill.
We have discovered that many people we speak to don’t realize this massive zoning change could happen without voter approval. We feel it’s important to let you know that it can happen, and from what we’re hearing, it will likely happen within the next month or two.
It is interesting to note that this bill also includes a safety clause, meaning that the voters cannot circulate a referendum petition against the bill in an attempt to defeat it or repeal it.
Supporters believe that increasing density across the state will reduce home prices (everyone can agree that home prices have been increasing at unprecedented rates) and will reduce carbon emissions due to shorter travel times for commuters.
Opponents worry increased density will overwhelm local infrastructure including water, sanitation systems, and schools, that local control over these decisions is being pre-empted, and that increased density pushed primarily by developers will increase unaffordable housing options.
We encourage you to educate yourself. Speak to your city council members and your Colorado legislators, search for content on the internet, reach out to me if you’d like to discuss what I know. Let’s make sure we are heard.
Here are the Colorado State Legislators’ emails who are currently sitting on the committee hearing this bill:
sonya.jaquez.lewis.senate@coleg.gov