Polis Pushes to Open Public Land, Allow Property Splits to Cut Housing Costs
Governor Jared Polis used his final State of the State address to urge Colorado lawmakers to open unused public land—owned by universities, nonprofits, school districts, and housing authorities—for housing and allow property subdivisions, framing the moves as ways to cut housing costs across the state.
The proposal could reshape how fast-growing northern Colorado cities like Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland and Windsor build and afford new homes.
"The more we do here to bring down costs, the more opportunity opens up for Coloradans in the ways that matter most – where we live, and how we spend our time and money," Polis said, according to the Governor's Office.
Polis identified outdated laws and bureaucracy as the barrier. "Coloradans – of all political stripes, in every part of our state – tell us that the high cost of housing makes it harder to live in the Colorado we love," he said. "For too long, we've run up against roadblocks – from outdated laws to piles of paperwork – that slow or stop new housing, new transit, and new clean energy from even being built."
Northern Colorado is ground zero for this debate. The region is home to major institutional landowners: Colorado State University and Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College in Greeley, and the Poudre, Thompson, Greeley-Evans and Windsor RE-4 school districts. Local transit agencies including Transfort and Greeley Evans Transit, along with housing authorities in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, also hold significant property.
Polis is asking lawmakers to pass three measures: open public land to housing, allow property subdivisions, and address rising homeowners insurance costs. Colorado has already legalized accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single-family apartments, and modular housing, and expanded transit-oriented development, according to the Governor's Office.
As he enters his final year in office, Polis urged lawmakers to continue "breaking government barriers that block new homes," according to the Governor's Office.