Land Use Bill

Standing in front of Lewis Court - One of our Affordable Housing Units in Golden

Last update on 5/9/23

The Governor’s land use bill is changing so fast, that I can’t very well write about it in my monthly newsletter and have it become out of date even as I write. So, I’m moving my thoughts on the bill here. But first, I want to point out that with respect to “subsidized housing”, which has a very specific meaning in Golden, we have only three properties (maybe four) for which residents pay 30% of their income towards rent, and the rest of the rent is subsidized, usually by Federal money, which then comes with a lot of rules. These properties are Lewis Court, The Flats at Ford, Canyon Gate Apartments, and maybe some of the Altitude Apartments(?) Sometimes people equate affordable housing with this type of housing. But, that is not really the whole truth. In Golden, the largest source of affordable housing is manufactured homes in both Golden Hills (near Mitchell), and Golden Terrace (along Colfax near C470 entrance ramp). Even these are not particularly affordable when you add lot rent (over $1000/mo) with mortgage costs.

On the land use bill. - Due to internal Democratic opposition, primarily from a couple of senators, the whole bill died on the last day of the session. It was too ambitious, too highly amended and to complex to get through even an undivided caucus. Enough said. If it gets revived in 2024, or there is a special session, I will update this post.