We cheered during the recent State of the State address when Gov. Jared Polis used the word “together” 13 times, most often in connection with Colorado’s desperate housing needs.

“Together” is the best description for the historical, bipartisan way we have worked with Gov. Polis to draft legislation that will incentivize cities and counties to design their futures and address affordable, sustainable housing needs.

The 2024 legislative session is our best chance to advance the tireless work of housing advocates and local leaders who are committed to increasing housing options for all Coloradans. Rather than spar over 2023 legislation that did not pass, many of the people and entities engaged in the robust debate pledged to work together to find solutions to the housing shortages in our state.

We wasted no time in capitalizing on the momentum for collaboration and change. And because we heard the same desires from our governor, his team, and other legislators, our bill will support and incentivize local governments.

Our bill, “State Support for Sustainable Affordable Housing,” will push local governments to identify housing needs and plan for continued growth in a strategic and inclusive way. It will recognize that the people of a community and their elected leaders need flexibility to plan and identify locally and regionally appropriate solutions with meaningful state support and appropriate mechanisms for the state to advance its own broader objectives.

Specifically, our bill requires local governments to work with the state to conduct a comprehensive assessment that will analyze existing and future local, regional, and statewide housing needs. The bill requires local and regional governments to adopt certain methodologies and integrate a menu of strategies into their local planning processes to help address the identified needs.

Also, the bill will help ensure that communities are creating housing at all income levels, while working to prevent displacement and sprawl. Furthermore, the bill requires local governments to adequately plan for our future water needs, and builds upon the successful opt-in of over 200 communities to Proposition 123. In short, our bill will help Colorado better plan for much-needed housing across the spectrum.

With our bill, we want to perpetuate Coloradans’ ability to define the character of their neighborhoods. That’s not any single political party’s paragon. It’s a Colorado ideal. It’s a precept embedded in the state’s history and one of the many wonderful things that differentiate us from the state governments running roughshod over local decision-making and community voices. Instead, we must leverage the power of the state’s fiscal resources to help local governments achieve long-term planning goals.

We are also grateful to Sen. Dylan Roberts, who considered running a similar bill, and we are hopeful that he can join forces with us. Our colleagues on both sides of the aisle have been part of some of the most robust discussions we have had yet about how to capitalize on the incentives of Proposition 123. We are optimistic about our ability to tackle our affordable housing problems by guiding local governments and citizens toward the common good, and we are proud to have Rep. Shannon Bird and Minority Leader Rose Puglise as House sponsors of this important legislation.

We share Gov. Polis’ mandate to all of us to work together. With continued bipartisan and bicameral partnership on our legislation, we will take bold steps forward in partnership with local governments, developers, and housing advocates to make Colorado a better and easier place to live.

Barbara Kirkmeyer, of Brighton, represents District 23 in the Colorado Senate and is a former Weld County commissioner. Rachel Zenzinger, of Arvada, represents District 19 in the Colorado Senate and is a former Arvada city council member. 

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