Denver ballots to be mailed May 15, several critical council races to be decided
The citywide election in Denver is not over yet, with the mayor’s race and council districts 8, 9 and 10 still up in the air. Denver voters will start receiving ballots on May 15, with the election set for Tuesday, June 6. In the mayor’s race, Metro Housing Coalition endorsed candidates Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston face off for the city’s top post. Fortunately, both candidates are pro-business and have signaled strong support for housing in the city.
If you live in Denver’s district 8, 9 or 10, this is a critical runoff election. The MHC-endorsed candidate in each district is facing a Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed candidate. There could not be a clearer distinction between these candidates on housing policy, property rights, public safety and myriad other issues that come before city council. These district runoffs will clearly tip the balance of Denver City Council in either direction.
To learn more about the MHC-endorsed, please visit their web pages:
· District 8: Brad Revare
· District 9: Darrell Watson
· District 10: Chris Hinds
Please don’t forgot to vote by June 6.
|
HBA of Metro Denver reaches out to Aurora on proposed Prairie Dog Relocation ordinance
The HBA of Metro Denver last week shared a letter with Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Council members on the city’s proposed Prairie Dog Relocation ordinance. The ordinance draft went before the Planning & Economic Development Committee on March 8 and April 12.
The draft ordinance would require mandatory relocation of prairie dogs within city limits. While the revised draft proposed on April 12 was improved from the original, several of the HBA’s active builders and developers in Aurora remain concerned over the remaining provisions. Several of the concerns shared with the city include:
- The proposed ordinance may be underestimating the difficulties associated with prairie dog relocation. While it is presumed that all of these prairie dogs will be relocated to Pueblo State Park, not long ago it was nearly impossible for developers to find an accepting jurisdiction. Since the decision to accept prairie dogs is not within a developer’s control, humane relocation and extermination measures need to be properly outlined in the ordinance in a manner that does not impede future development.
- Prohibition on the relocation (or “humane extermination”) between April 1 and June 1 comes at a pivotal time in the construction calendar and will cause significant delays that will inevitably drive-up costs.
- There is no implementation date in the draft ordinance, and this would impact permits already moving through the review process.
The HBA’s letter also noted that added delays (unintended or otherwise) associated with this ordinance would likely drive-up costs on new housing in Aurora. This is a major concern in Aurora as many residents have moderate incomes and can be adversely impacted by increasing costs to purchase a home. The letter acknowledged that the humane relocation of prairie dogs is a worthwhile policy, but also noted that solving the attainable housing crisis and reducing the cost-of-living burdens felt by Aurora residents should also be a top priority for council.
The HBA’s letter asked the city to consider postponing the implementation date until early next year to prevent any unnecessary delays as builders head into the summer construction season. The full letter can be reviewed by clicking here..
|
HBA raises concerns over Commerce City’s proposed impact fee increases for residential housing
Commerce City Council at its meeting on April 17 discussed significant impact-fee increases on new homes to support the city’s police, capital improvements, public works and recreational facilities. The city is considering imposing a new Development Impact Fee of up to $10,415 for a single-family home and up to $7,909 for a multi-family unit. Although City staff indicated these figures were the maximum justified impact fees, staff also seemed to recommend that the maximums be implemented.
This new fee proposal comes on the heals of two new fees in Commerce City imposed just last month for transportation and stormwater. These new fees added more than $9,000 to the price of an average single-family home in some Commerce City neighborhoods. City Council also is preparing to adopt a new sprinkler mandate for single family homes, adding even more costs new homes in the city. All of these new mandates and fees will likely price many aspiring homeowners out of the market. The cumulative cost of the city’s new fees will likely increase new home prices by more than $30,000 or more per home.
The full letter to Commerce City’s mayor and council is available by clicking here.
|
2022 HBA Advocacy Efforts Had $130 Impact on Housing Policy
Throughout last year, The HBA of Metro Denver Advocacy team has worked tirelessly to make sure developers, builders and associate members have the most favorable business environment possible to bring new homes to market. The HBA of Metro Denver staff and our members have collectively combatted ballot questions, detrimental changes to metro districts, construction-tax proposals, inclusionary-zoning ordinances, fee increases and many other issues that directly impact our industry’s ability to bring much-needed attainable housing opportunities to Colorado residents. While much of our collective efforts cannot be quantified, we have achieved the following tangible results that will help make the essential work of building homes easier and more affordable.
Quantifiable savings to our builders and industry over the past 12 months include: 
|
HBA of Metro Denver Issue Tracker
Questions on what is happening in a specific city or county? The HBA is regularly monitoring the council and board activities in every political subdivision in the metro Denver area. Our Issue Tracker offers a great resource to learn about the issues being deliberated with links to agendas, packets and ordinances. The HBA of Metro Denver HBA Issue Tracker is available to all members here.
|
Thank you to HBA's 2023 Organizational Partners:
|
Contact Connie Dahl for more info on becoming an HBA Sponsor!
|
|
