Housing Money Matters: Why Colorado Must Keep the Funds

Colorado’s housing crisis is tearing communities apart.

• Young adults are forced to hide in basements.
• Older residents struggle to downsize.
• Families are commuting farther for jobs, straining local roads and hampering employers’ ability to attract talent.

2022: A Partial Fix

In 2022, voters passed Proposition 123, securing a steady stream of funds for homes that match residents’ incomes. The vote sent a clear message to lawmakers: Invest in housing that keeps people in their own communities.

House Bill 1360 Threatens the Fund

The new bill would divert about $130 million from the Proposition 123 fund. City leaders warn that:

• Broomfield’s down‑payment assistance program would lose critical support.
• Louisville’s housing code rewrite, aimed at increasing units, would stall.
• Littleton’s cooperative community relies on the fund to stay viable.
• Aurora’s 85‑unit affordable complex would be delayed or canceled.

These projects have thrived because the state maintained the dedicated funding source.

Financing: The Biggest Hurdle

• Construction costs are rising.
• Interest rates remain high.
• Infrastructure needs add to expenses.

Without a guaranteed funding stream, local governments cannot plan effectively. Zoning changes alone are insufficient; funding is essential to translate plans into homes.

The Call to Action

City leaders’ message is clear:

Keep Proposition 123 intact.
Let local governments retain the money and the power to act.

When residents can afford homes in their neighborhoods, the entire community benefits. The debate isn’t just about budget lines—it’s about preserving the towns that keep Colorado alive.