Larimer County Seeks Public Input for Regional Housing Needs Assessment
Larimer County, Fort Collins, and Loveland are launching a comprehensive regional housing needs assessment and inviting residents to participate in a 15-minute survey and upcoming public meetings to gather community input on local housing challenges.
The collaborative study represents the first joint housing assessment by the three jurisdictions in over 15 years, building on the previous regional analysis completed in September 2009. Officials are hosting two public meetings in October to discuss housing priorities with residents: October 9 at the Old Town Library and October 10 at the Loveland Public Library.
The assessment comes as Northern Colorado faces significant housing affordability challenges, with Fort Collins median home prices reaching $585,000 to $600,000 in 2025 and average monthly rents climbing to $1,975 to $2,050, according to the Commonsense Institute Colorado Housing Affordability Report. Loveland's housing costs remain somewhat lower, with median home prices of $510,000 to $525,000 and average rents of $1,850 to $1,980.
Both cities exceed Larimer County's average median home price of $540,000 and average monthly rent of $1,950, reflecting persistent inventory shortages throughout the region. Current housing stock ratios hover near 1.0 unit per household, below the healthy market benchmark of 1.1 units per household that indicates adequate supply.
The regional assessment will analyze demographic trends, housing stock conditions, and affordability gaps that have widened significantly since the last comprehensive study. Larimer County has experienced a 70.7% decline in housing affordability since 2015, though this remains less severe than the 104% decline seen in metro Denver counties, according to Colorado Demography Office data.
Housing production has failed to keep pace with population and employment growth across all three jurisdictions, creating mounting pressure on both rental and ownership markets. The 2009 assessment identified similar trends, recommending expanded housing choices, preservation of existing affordable units, and strengthened partnerships between local governments and housing organizations.
The upcoming assessment will examine how demographic shifts have affected housing demand, particularly the growth in younger residents aged 0-19 and middle-age residents aged 30-49, alongside a significant increase in seniors over 62. These population changes require different housing types and accessibility features than traditional single-family developments.
Fort Collins maintains a higher proportion of rental housing, with 57.6% owner-occupied units compared to up to 85.9% in unincorporated county areas, reflecting the influence of Colorado State University and the city's employment centers on housing demand patterns.
While Colorado state law does not mandate regular housing needs assessments, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs strongly encourages updates every 5-10 years as part of comprehensive planning processes and for eligibility for state housing funding programs. Local comprehensive plans typically incorporate housing assessments during major policy updates.
The collaborative approach reflects recommendations from the 2009 study, which emphasized strengthening partnerships among local governments, housing authorities, nonprofits, and private sector developers to maximize funding and delivery of affordable housing units.
Residents can access the survey and additional information about the housing needs assessment through the Larimer County Office of Housing Stability. The study aims to identify specific action steps for addressing housing choice, preservation, partnership development, and community support for affordable housing initiatives.
For more information, contact the Office of Housing Stability at [email protected] or visit 200 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins.