Colorado’s housing crisis looms large, casting a shadow over the dreams of working families and young people striving to secure an affordable place to call home. As the crisis deepens, it’s evident that mere rhetoric won’t suffice; concrete action is imperative to alleviate the strain on communities statewide.
Fortunately, a beacon of hope emerges in the form of HB24-1152, proposed by the Colorado State Legislature. This bill alone won’t solve the housing crisis, but it presents a straightforward remedy to start unraveling our housing conundrum. HB24-1152 champions the rights of Colorado homeowners to construct ADUs on their properties. By slashing through cumbersome regulations and offering financial support to local governments, this legislation aims to make housing more attainable for more Coloradoans.
An ADU, or Accessory Dwelling Unit, constitutes a secondary living space situated on the same premises as the primary residence — a concept colloquially referred to as “granny flats” or casitas.
For me, as the owner of a small business dedicated to ADU construction, this bill couldn’t arrive at a more opportune moment. Inspired by my father’s four-decade tenure as a builder in Colorado and fueled by my desire to leverage my sales and business development acumen in support of a greater mission, I embarked on this venture with a dual purpose: to furnish affordable, adaptable housing options that foster familial unity and to furnish homeowners with avenues to augment passive income or property valuation. It presented a chance to cultivate a business with a tangible, positive impact.
The housing crisis isn’t merely an abstract dilemma — it’s the very motivation behind my entrepreneurial journey. Every interaction with potential clients underscores the pressing need for ADUs, be it to accommodate multi-generational families or facilitate downsizing while retaining community ties. My own children, in their early 20s, face the stark reality of being priced out of Colorado. The exorbitant costs render housing inaccessible to many, especially those newly embarking on their professional journeys.
Navigating the labyrinth of city-specific regulations poses a formidable challenge. A cornerstone of my business strategy involves crafting ADU plans tailored to comply with zoning codes across Colorado — a facet directly addressed by the bill. By devising ADU prototypes calibrated to align with prevalent municipal requirements, I endeavor to streamline the process for homeowners, with the ultimate aspiration of securing city pre-approval. This not only mitigates design and architectural expenses but also expedites the project timeline.
Cost emerges as the primary impediment to ADU construction. The bill’s incentives promise to alleviate this burden by fostering the development of pre-approved plans, furnishing technical guidance, and waiving or reducing construction fees. In an environment where soaring rates compound the affordability crisis, such financial assistance proves indispensable.
The escalating costs of housing and construction threaten to compromise the affordability of my projects. This pragmatic proposal extends a lifeline to Colorado’s local governments and small businesses, extending grants to support low and moderate-income individuals constructing ADUs, facilitating affordable rentals, or addressing community housing needs like workforce accommodations or accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Moreover, it aims to streamline bureaucratic hurdles, fostering a conducive environment for progress and more ADUs being built.
Passing this crucial bill signals a step in the right direction — a tangible stride toward addressing Colorado’s housing woes. Encouragingly, a majority of Coloradans already rally behind this initiative. Let’s seize this opportunity to usher in a new era of housing accessibility, bolstering our communities and our entrepreneurial endeavors.
Christy Silva is the founder of Little Home Builder, an ADU design-build firm located in Longmont.