The HBA Advocate Newsletter | November 6, 2024
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November 6, 2024 |
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In this edition:
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Metro Housing Coalition Endorsed Candidates Win Decisively in County and Municipal Elections |
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With this being an even numbered year, all Colorado counties and four metro Denver municipalities held elections this year - with far reaching implications for the residential-construction industry and our ability to meet the needs of aspiring homeowners. To that end, the MHC Board worked doggedly to help elect pro-housing candidates up and down the ballot in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Jefferson counties - ultimately endorsing 11 different candidates. We also played an active role in supporting municipal candidates in the towns of Castle Rock, Erie and Parker, with 10 candidates ultimately earning our endorsement. At this time, 85% of the MHC’s endorsed candidates have won their respective this election cycle, with some races still too close too call. In Adams County, commissioner candidates Julie Mullica and Kathy Henson and incumbent commissioner Lynn Baca won their races handedly. In Arapahoe County, incumbent Carrie Warren-Gully easily won reelection as did state Senator Rhonda Fields, who was running for an open seat in District 5. Incumbent Republican Commissioner Jeff Baker is currently ahead but in a very close race in District 3, running just under a point ahead of his opponent Scott Brown with 50.34% of the vote. In Douglas County, Commissioner George Teal easily won reelection along with State Senator Kevin Van Winkle, who is running for an open seat being vacated by term-limited incumbent Lora Thomas. In Jefferson County, incumbent Commissioner Andy Kerr cruised to reelection as did State Senator Rachel Zenzinger, who is running to fill an open seat being vacated by Commissioner Tracy Kraft-Tharp. In Elbert County, candidate Byon Nelson, who the MHC supported during his primary race last spring, is running unopposed. While our MHC-endorsed municipal candidates also performed well yesterday, we saw some mixed results in some important areas for our industry. In the Town of Parker, all of the MHC’s endorsed candidates were successful, with Town Council members Laura Hefta and Todd Hendreks winning by comfortable margins while incumbent John Diak narrowly took the third at-large seat by just 1,000 votes. The Parker mayoral race was even closer, with Councilmember Josh Rivero defeating incumbent Mayor Jeff Toborg by only 639 votes. The races in Erie were even closer still, with all council seats up for grabs in the Town’s first fall election following voter approval of a home rule charter in 2023. Currently, MHC-endorsed council members Andrew Sawusch and Brandon Bell are narrowly losing their reelection bids by just 2 and 10 votes respectively. Mayor Justin Brooks is currently ahead in his reelection but by only 26 votes. Council member Emily Baer is the only MHC-endorsed candidate who has definitively won reelection in Erie. In Castle Rock, the MHC only endorsed two candidates this year. Council member Ryan Hollingshead won his reelection bid, but newcomer Kevin McHugh was defeated by incumbent Council member Tim Dietz. A complete list of the MHC-endorsed candidates can be found in the 2024 Metro Housing Coalition Voter Guide. |
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HBA of Metro Denver Supported Ballot Measures Win at the Ballot Box In September, the HBA Board of Directors voted to support eight measures on the ballot in our jurisdiction this November - winning all but two yesterday evening. Arapahoe and Jefferson counties passed referred measures asking voters to release the counties from TABOR’s tax-limiting constraints, so that the government can retain the money it collects going forward. Known colloquially as deBrucing, the measures would relieve much of the fiscal constraints that have led to both counties’ chronic budget shortfalls over the past decade that have forced them to defer maintenance on roads and county infrastructure and other critical programs like public safety and efforts to combat homelessness in the area. South Adams County Water and Sanitation District and RTD referred similar deBrucing measures to the ballot to help resolve fiscal challenges within their service areas. All four measures easily passed on Tuesday evening. In Castle Rock, the Town easily passed a ballot measure this year by nearly 12 points to increase sales tax by 0.2% sales tax increase in order to hire 22 police positions and 18 fire positions by 2029. The HBA of Metro Denver worked to defeat a $7 per square foot residential construction tax put forward in 2021 to help fund police and fire service in Castle Rock - a proposal that we felt unfairly singled out aspiring homeowners to fund services that meant to benefit all town residents. The HBA supported this alternative approach in 2024 to resolve this problem in a more equitable manner while ensuring adequate public safety services for the Town’s growing population while not undermining housing attainability. The additional sales tax revenue is projected to generate approximately $3.75 million annually and will provide funds for police and fire personnel as well as free up revenue for road maintenance, parks and recreation and annual funding for arts and culture in Castle Rock. The only two HBA supported measures that appear to have been rejected by voters this year were the affordable housing measures in Denver and Adams County. In Denver, City Council referred a 0.5% sales tax increase to support affordable housing programs in the city, which currently appears to be losing by just over 7,000 votes. The HBA supported the measure, with reservations, as a way to help support badly needed affordable housing in Denver with an alternative revenue source that doesn’t rely on resources derived from new residential development like the city’s current Expanding Housing Affordability requirements. Similarly, Adams County referred a measure to its ballot this November that would have increased sales tax in the county by 0.15% to help expand affordable-housing programs. That measure was also soundly defeated, with over 70% of residents opposing the measure. |
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Town of Erie Delays Increase to Water Tap Fees On December 22, the Erie Town Council delayed a significant increase to its Water Tap Fees for new development in the Town for the second time. Council was slated to vote on the approval after the proposal was previously delayed on September 24. The proposed ordinance would increase the Tap Fee and Raw Water Dedication Fees for a ¾-inch line from $37,153 to $57,550 for a total increase of $20,397. The last time this fee was increased was back in 2019. Town staff has justified the dramatic increase due to increased valuation of the existing assets and additional need for capacity along with future infrastructure projects outlined the Town’s 10-year plan. The Town Council has repeatedly cited housing affordability as a high priority for the municipality, yet has repeatedly passed expensive mandates and fee increases in recent years that contradict this assertion. The HBA has already testified in opposition to the new tap fee increases several times, citing the need for additional dialogue with the development community as an appropriate next step prior to the Town Council making a final decision. A number of council members have seen validity in this argument and have directed staff to see if any alternative methods could be explored to lower water usage, reduce costs and lessen the cost impacts on aspiring homeowners. Erie Mayor Justin Brooks has also requested an open roundtable with the development community to discuss this matter further and explore other options. A final vote on the matter will likely be delayed until early 2025, and the HBA will continue to engage with Council and staff during the interim. The Town of Erie is simultaneously considering implementing a new Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance that appears would be paid for almost exclusively through massive increases on new market rate housing in the Town. |
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HBA of Metro Denver Issue Tracker |
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HBA is looking for Members to Participate in Advocacy, Regulatory and Technical Committees in 2025 As a volunteer-driven organization, the HBA's Jobsite Safety Committee, Permitting Committee, Regulated Utilities Committee and Stormwater Management Committee help guide the HBA's events and activities throughout the year. Consider joining one, or more, if you want to build strong, long-lasting relationships and make a difference to your fellow HBA members, while sharpening your leadership skills. Please visit the HBA website for more information or reach out to Morgan Cullen if you are ready to participate. |
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Thank you to HBA's 2024 Organizational Partners: |
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Corporate Partners: |
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Contact Connie Dahl for more info on becoming an HBA Sponsor, or visit hbadenver.com/sponsorships for more information! |