This week was another ‘Wednesday only’ work day at the Capitol, as it has been for the last six weeks. We attended some business before recessing again until June 4th. The Senate continues to meet more regularly than we do, almost double the work days compared to the House. These large breaks at this point in the session significantly disrupt the momentum of policy progress and budget negotiations.
Although the days are light, several important issues are being worked on, the highest priority being to stop HCR 2060. This week, passing the resolution out of the Senate was stalled as Senator Bennet withheld his support. He expressed concerns that an amendment brought by Senator Shamp would harm DACA recipients. Senator Bennet had previously voiced concerns about racial profiling and that this ‘border bill’ was too vast in its statewide reach. With only a slim one-seat majority in either chamber, Republicans are forced to work hard to achieve compromise within their caucus. This is challenging because their party's extreme positions on issues like abortion and the border are in direct opposition to the majority of voters' stances.
Switching to housing, in the House we voted on two bills that would help increase supply and diversify the types of housing being built. Having statewide uniformity to the zoning code via these two bills will help facilitate the creation of new homes that give flexibility to families, renters, and owners.
HB 2720 allows homeowners to build additional dwelling units, aka ADU’s or casitas, on their properties. There is language in the bill to disincentivize investors that if a unit is to be rented out, the owner of the property must occupy the main unit or the ADU.
HB 2721 will address increasing density by allowing duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes to be built in single-family home areas within a mile of the "central business districts" of all cities with a population of 75,000 and more.
I spoke with numerous constituents and neighborhood groups, both in support and opposition to these policies. I appreciate everyone who took the time to reach out and share their concerns. One undeniable common thread in these conversations is the widespread agreement that we are facing an unrelenting housing and homelessness crisis in our state. This crisis continues to affect the lives of many in our communities and threatens to drag down our state’s economy.
I am hopeful that the efforts by cities and the state to increase housing supply will start to bring units online quickly enough to close the housing gap. This will not only provide people with the security of having a home but also help reduce prices as supply catches up with demand.
With kindness,
Sarah
