Media Contact:
Shannon Gray | shannon.gray@state.co.us | (970)-505-7937
On December 31, 2024, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), through the Division of Local Government (DLG), has reached the next significant milestone in the implementation of the 2024 land use and housing legislation by publishing:
- The final Parking Management Best Practices Report
- The Housing Needs Assessment Methodology
- Displacement Risk Assessment Guidance
“This year we took major steps forward to break down artificial barriers to housing and create more housing options Coloradans can afford. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and appreciate the Department of Local Affairs for their work to continue this process and support local communities as we work together to implement these new laws that will save Coloradans money,” said Governor Jared Polis.
The new tools provide guidance that enables local governments to comply with:
- SB 24-174, which requires some local governments to conduct and publish a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) by December 31, 2026.
- HB 24-1304, which reforms minimum parking requirements.
- HB 24-1313, which requires 32 subject jurisdictions to calculate their Housing Opportunity Goal, and designate sufficient Transit Centers to meet that goal.
“As a proactive leader in housing, we are proud to work with our agency and local partners to develop resources that support implementation of this important legislation, which will expand housing options and access to transportation, work, and key amenities for Coloradans,” said Maria De Cambra, DOLA’s Executive Director. “These tools demonstrate the flexibility and different options offered to subject communities to comply in ways that work best for them.”
DOLA has also published draft versions of the Transit Center Calculation Model and Guide and Housing Opportunity Goal (HOG) tools to provide ample opportunity for feedback from various interest groups, well before the final publication deadline of February 28, 2025.
The tools were developed in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), with extensive input from local governments working to comply with these new laws and interest groups explicitly identified in the laws.
The next steps in the implementation process include:
- A review of pre-existing local Housing Needs Assessments for conformity to methodologies per SB24-174
- The launch of new funding for housing planning per SB24-174.
Additionally, the state will be finalizing the draft Housing Opportunity Goal and Transit Center technical tools, publishing final guidance for the Transit Oriented Communities law, and developing forms and guidance for reporting by the end of February.
Interested parties are encouraged to visit DOLA’s legislation implementation efforts for land use and housing legislation page for additional information on the Department’s ongoing implementation efforts.
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