Covid-19

“Keeping Coloradans housed is one of the ultimate goals of the Department of Local Affairs. The Emergency Rental Assistance program has been a direct, fundamental benefit to Colorado families by enabling them to afford stable housing. We recognize that the inability to afford housing is a key contributor to the increase in homelessness in today's society, which is why programs like these remain crucial,” said Rick Garcia, Executive Director.

The U.S. Census Bureau released their county-level vintage 2021 population estimates, and they report that more than 73% (2,297) of U.S. counties experienced natural decrease in 2021 - up from 45.5% in 2019 and 55.5% in 2020. In Colorado, 35 of the 64 counties (55%) experienced natural decrease. Natural decrease occurs when there are more deaths than births in a population over a given period. Aging in the U.S. and Colorado, as well as increased mortality due to COVID and fewer births, contributed to this rise in natural decrease.

Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) will allocate up to $275M to local governments across the state from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CVRF), in an effort to reduce the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Order D2020 051 signed by Governor Jared Polis on April 30 placed a moratorium on evictions and late fees for failure to pay rent that will expire on May 30, unless it is extended. The same executive order grants the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), Division of Housing (DOH) the authority to provide a template for renters and landlords to make payment arrangements, which may be initiated by either party to prevent late amounts from becoming immediately due when the moratorium expires.