Gov. Jared Polis
Colorado housing experts finalize formal recommendations for alleviating state’s affordable housing crisis
A coalition of housing experts across Colorado has finalized formal recommendations for how the state can alleviate its affordable housing crisis. The Strategic Housing Working Group, convened by the state’s Department of Local Affairs in the fall, presented its final recommendations to Colorado’s State Housing Board during a public meeting on July 13. Next, the […]
Colorado’s renters rights got a boost this legislative session, alongside a flood of affordable housing funding
In what will undoubtedly be a legislative session for the history books, Colorado state lawmakers this week approved a laundry list of new legal protections for renters and allocated millions in state and federal funds to help address the state’s affordable housing crisis, which worsened throughout the pandemic. Senate Bill 21-173 permanently strengthens legal protections […]
Here’s how CO’s Dem leaders want to spend the state’s $3.8 billion federal stimulus
Colorado Democratic leaders and lawmakers gathered on the steps of the state Capitol on Monday morning to unveil their preliminary plan for how to distribute $3.8 billion in federal stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress. “After more than a year of hardship and struggle, we are entering a new chapter of […]
Growing number of law enforcement agencies are accepting Colorado digital IDs
A growing number of law enforcement agencies in Colorado are accepting digital IDs uploaded to the myColorado mobile app as proof of identity, age and address during traffic stops, according to a press release from Gov. Jared Polis’ office. Police Departments in Denver, Brighton, Broomfield, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado Springs, Durango, Johnstown, Lakewood, Loveland, Morrison, […]
Colorado opens vaccine eligibility floodgates: All residents 16 and older can sign up starting April 2
Gov. Jared Polis announced on Monday that anyone 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting on Friday. “This is a really important step that Colorado will be taking,” the governor said during a media briefing. The announcement comes just 10 days after the most recent vaccine priority group opened, which includes […]
Colorado renters remain protected by federal eviction moratorium until at least the end of June
The Biden administration announced Monday that it is extending a federal eviction moratorium that aims to keep tenants who have fallen behind on rent during the pandemic in their homes. The ban, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year, was scheduled to expire on Wednesday but now extends through the end […]
Colorado received more rental assistance requests in January than previous eight months combined
Colorado housing officials say an overwhelming increase in rental assistance requests in 2021 is due to a combination of factors, including the expiration of the state’s eviction moratorium, increased outreach efforts and a more accessible online application.
ACLU files appeal to Colorado Supreme Court, wants Gov. Polis to decrease prison population
The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado on Thursday submitted an expedited appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court regarding the recent dismissal of a lawsuit which aimed to decrease the state’s prison population in light of the pandemic. The original lawsuit, which was filed in May in Denver District Court and later dismissed on Dec. […]
An Inauguration Day like no other: Here’s how Coloradans can watch (or participate) on Wednesday
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in on Wednesday amid a global pandemic that has claimed 400,000 American lives and only two weeks after a mob of right-wing extremists emboldened by the sitting president violently breached the U.S. Capitol. The swearing-in ceremony will take place on the west front of […]
Colorado attorney general opens grand jury investigation into Elijah McClain’s death
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced on Friday that he has opened a grand jury investigation into Elijah McClain’s death. The 23-year-old Black man died after a violent encounter with Aurora police officers on Aug. 24, 2019, while he was walking home from a convenience store. He was suspected of no crime. “The grand jury […]
Colorado law that bans housing discrimination based on source of income now in effect
A new Colorado law ensures that renters have access to housing regardless of the person’s source of income. The new state law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, requires landlords to accept rental payments from any source of income, including from housing assistance programs, disability or unemployment insurance, veterans’ benefits, and other government subsidies. […]
Colorado’s eviction ban expires, but some renters remain protected under federal moratorium
Colorado’s statewide eviction moratorium quietly expired on New Year’s Day with no indication from the governor’s office if or when it will be renewed. Some renters will still have temporary protections through January under the federal eviction moratorium, which was recently extended by Congress alongside the latest infusion of relief funds. On Thursday, Gov. Jared […]