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Issue Briefs

Shortterm Rentals

This memorandum provides information on the regulation of short-term rentals (STRs) in Colorado. State law defines any rental of a lodging unit for less than 30 days as an STR, and allows for their regulation at the county level. STRs may also be regulated privately through contracts and homeowners’ association covenants. A lodging unit includes any property or portion of a property that is available for lodging, except for hotels. STRs are usually privately owned residential units that are booked through third-party vacation rental services, such as Airbnb and VRBO.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing
  • Local Government


Staff Publications

Service and Assistance Animals

This memorandum provides information on service and assistance animals. Specifically, it explains the differences between each type of animal, how each type of animal can be verified, the rights granted to individuals accompanied by a service animal, and offenses related to the misrepresentation of service or assistance animals.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Civil Law
  • Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement
  • Housing
  • Human Services


Issue Briefs

Local Government Affordable Housing Strategies

Several factors contribute to high housing costs in Colorado. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development defines being housing cost burdened as households paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing. According to a housing affordability June 2025 white paper from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), 46.8 percent of renters and 21.5 percent of homeowners are housing cost-burdened in Colorado.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing
  • Local Government

Issue Briefs

Recent Housing Supply Legislation

Between 2023 and 2025, the General Assembly passed laws designed to boost the type and supply of housing in Colorado communities. These laws emphasize higher‑density residential housing near transit areas and encourage more affordable housing options, such as accessory dwelling units and condominiums. This issue brief summarizes key housing laws passed by the legislature since 2023 that aim to increase the state’s housing supply.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing
  • Local Government

Summary of Major Legislation

Summary of 2025 Housing Legislation

The General Assembly considered several measures related to housing during the 2025 legislation session, including bills that affect landlords and tenants, state housing programs, and residential building regulations.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly
  • Housing
  • Local Government


Staff Publications

Programs and Resources for Persons Experiencing Homelessness

Homelessness affects thousands of individuals and families across Colorado. Among U.S. states, Colorado has the 8th highest number of residents experiencing homelessness. This memorandum describes the scope of homelessness in the state and provides an overview of the programs and resources available to Colorado’s unhoused population.

 
 
Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing
  • Local Government
  • State Government

Issue Briefs

Homeowner Associations and Property Insurance

A homeowner association (HOA) must obtain insurance to cover common elements such as physical property and liability. Unit owners within an HOA also purchase insurance to cover the homeowners’ private property, parts of the unit not covered by the HOA’s policy, and liability. This issue brief outlines insurance coverage for HOAs and unit owners, circumstances contributing to the cost of insurance, and current laws that address insurance issues.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Business & Economic Development
  • Housing
  • Insurance

Staff Publications

Laws Regulating Landlords and Tenants

While lease agreements are the primary legal contract between landlords and tenants, there are also federal, state, and local laws regulating this relationship. This memorandum provides a detailed overview of Colorado laws regulating residential lease agreements, as well as applicable federal laws and examples of stricter local laws. It concludes with a list of resources for landlords and tenants. Nothing in this memorandum should be construed as legal advice.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing

Summary of Major Legislation

Summary of 2024 Housing Legislation

The General Assembly considered several measures related to housing during the 2024 legislative session, including bills that affect landlords and tenants, housing codes, and homeowners’ associations.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly
  • Housing

Summary of Major Legislation

Summary of 2023 Housing Legislation

The General Assembly considered several measures related to housing during the 2023 legislative session, including bills regarding landlords and tenants, housing transactions, local governments, and land use.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing
  • Local Government

Staff Publications

State Funded Behavioral Health Programs

This memorandum provides information about FY 2022-23 appropriations for state-funded behavioral health programs.  Information for this memorandum was taken from:

  • the FY 2022-23 Long Bill, House Bill 22-1329;
  • other bills that include funding for behavioral health programs;
  • Joint Budget Committee (JBC) staff FY 2022-23 figure-setting documents and the JBC Appropriations Report FY 2022-23; and
  • department staff.
Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Health Care & Health Insurance
  • Housing
  • Human Services
  • Public Health
  • State Revenue & Budget


Tax Expenditure Evaluation

Home Modification Tax Credit

Report No. 2023-TE1

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Office of the State Auditor
Subjects:
  • Fiscal Policy & Taxes
  • Health Care & Health Insurance
  • Housing


Issue Briefs

Regulation of Mobile Home Parks (22-04)

Since 2019, the state legislature has updated the Mobile Home Park Act several times.  This issue brief provides background on mobile homes and an overview of the Mobile Home Park Act, including recent changes to the law regarding purchasing mobile home parks, evictions, and leases.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing



Summary of Major Legislation

Summary of 2022 Housing Legislation

During the 2022 legislative session, the General Assembly considered housing bills to address affordability, homeowner associations, and families without housing.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing
  • Local Government


Final/Annual Reports

Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force Report

Colorado has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform its affordable housing system and make sure it works for Coloradans in every corner of the state. The $400 million in unallocated funding from the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021” (ARPA) offers us a chance to make one-time transformational investments that improve access to affordable housing across the state for those experiencing homelessness and for our essential workers with low to middle incomes.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing

Summary of Major Legislation

Summary of 2021 Housing Legislation

During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly focused on continued impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, landlord-tenant relations, and affordable housing. 

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing
  • Local Government