Colorado Voters to Weigh in on Affordable Housing Measures

With home prices at historic highs and renters increasingly squeezed by housing costs, towns across Colorado are asking voters to support measures that would allocate more tax revenue to affordable housing efforts. Rachel Estabrook reports on the various initiatives for Colorado Public Radio.

In Grand Junction, voters will decide on a 1 percent lodging tax increase and an 8 percent short-term rental tax, with other cities calling for similar measures. “These hyper-local questions to voters come the same year that Coloradans statewide will decide whether to dedicate a portion of income tax revenue to help renters, would-be homebuyers and people experiencing homelessness.” 

Advocates for the hotel industry say funding for affordable housing could come from reallocating existing budget items rather than adding new taxes.

However, “Based on the locations where voters see housing measures on local ballots this year, affordability appears to be worse in areas with high tourism across Colorado.” Workers can’t afford to live near their jobs, and employers struggle to attract workers who have to live farther and farther away, forcing some businesses to limit their schedules and services.

Many residents blame the proliferation of short-term rentals and vacation homes for the shortage of affordable housing. As Rick Keuroglian, town administrator for Georgetown, explains, “We're competing with people across multiple states who want second homes and want to come in. That wealthy person from California who wants a second home is targeting this whole region.”