Join us in urging lawmakers from both parties to slow down, study outcomes, and pursue balanced, data-driven housing solutions that keep Colorado affordable.
Colorado’s housing market is out of balance. As housing legislation continues to pile up, costs rise and fewer homes get built—slowing investment and limiting opportunity across our economy. Families are left with fewer choices and a path to the American Dream that’s becoming harder to reach.
In 2015, the Centennial State welcomed roughly 55,000 new residents. That number fell to 31,000 by 2019 and dropped to just 7,000 in 2023.
Independent voters — Colorado’s largest voting bloc — rank housing affordability and cost of living among top concerns.
Source: LetColoradoVote.com
“The longer eviction notice periods enacted in 2024 were meant to provide stability, but for the families I work with—and come to care about—they’re often doing the opposite. Instead of being able to move forward, families fall further behind, extending the financial strain at a moment when they’re just trying to put their lives back together.”
Apartment Residents
Spending from Colorado’s apartment residents contributes nearly $68.3 billion to the local economy each year, supporting 361K jobs.
Apartment Homes
The operation of Colorado’s apartment homes contributes $3.2 billion to the local economy each year, creating over 30K jobs.
Colorado is facing housing affordability challenges, and renters are feeling it most because supply has not kept pace with demand. When we invest in thoughtful housing policies that responsibly increase the supply of market-rate, affordable, and workforce homes, we create real paths to stability and opportunity.
And we ensure every hardworking Coloradan has a fair shot at the American Dream.
Coloradans only want select housing policies that will preserve affordability and stability for the residents they serve by ensuring that Colorado’s housing policies work as intended – supporting, rather than straining, the people who rely on rental housing.
That’s why we’re asking state lawmakers from both parties to take a more thoughtful approach to housing policy — slowing the pace of new legislation, evaluating real-world impacts, and working toward practical, data-driven solutions that keep housing affordable for Colorado families.
Add your name to support a smarter, more balanced path forward.
When the rental housing market is stable, renters and homeowners alike benefit. Predictable total housing costs, improved housing quality, and the ability to build new homes all expand choice and strengthen affordability – making a stable housing market the foundation for economic stability for all Coloradans.
As lawmakers responded to the earlier population surge, the volume of legislation steadily increased — rising from 305 bills passed in 2012 to 519 bills enacted in 2024. Over 650 bills were introduced during the 2025 session with 476 enacted which remains high.
Source: Colorado General Assembly
As Denver expanded, pressures on housing, infrastructure, and public services intensified. In response, a growing number of well-intended housing policies — often layered on top of one another — have had unintended consequences that push housing further out of reach.
In 2020 the Colorado Legislature passed five bills having significant impact on rental housing. By 2025, the number of proposed bills had climbed to 26 — showing just how urgently stability and affordability are needed across Colorado.
A study by Metro Sight found that policies such as source-of-income requirements, eviction regulations, and resident-screening restrictions will contribute to higher rents, particularly lower-income residents.
Renters feel this strain most acutely, with nonpayment of rent accounting for the majority of involuntary moves and causing many households to lose access to stable housing, making it harder for families to stay connected to the American Dream.
Since 2012, the cost of living in Denver has climbed nearly 47%. That means the average household is now paying about $1,600 more every month — or nearly $20,000 more every year — just to keep up.
The average Denver resident has seen annual cost of living increase by over $20,000 since 2012.
Source: BLS & CPI Numbers
Joint research from NAHB and NMHC demonstrates that an average of 40.6% of national multifamily costs can be attributed to regulations which are unfortunately passed down to the consumer to keep housing providers afloat.
When regulatory costs go up, housing providers often leave the state in search of more business-friendly states further constricting the supply. Extreme regulations also put a freeze on new construction only further
exacerbating the accessibility issue.
“As a Colorado native, I have dedicated my life to providing workforce and low income housing with a mindful eye towards the community in which I also live… These regulations are only making matters worse by pushing out local owners and operators who are struggling with rising costs themselves.”
The housing affordability crisis impacts everyone—from renters and first-time homebuyers to seniors aging in place. Rising costs driven by complex and overlapping housing policies are making it harder for Coloradans to find and keep stable housing.
Add your name to show legislators that Coloradans want thoughtful, bipartisan solutions that expand housing options and confront the affordability crisis.
Support the growing number of Colorado renters, housing providers, and the jobs supported by multifamily housing.
Policymakers should resist politically expedient but flawed approaches that undermine the creation of needed housing and instead focus on solutions that balance the needs of renters and housing providers while expanding access to quality, affordable homes.
Common Sense Institute Colorado
Metro Sight Study on Regulation and Rents