Colorado Springs City Council Affirms Support for Home Rule Authority in Legal Challenge Against State Housing Mandates

The Colorado Springs City Council has passed a resolution affirming its support for home rule municipalities engaged in litigation against the State of Colorado over recently enacted housing laws and executive orders that override local land use and zoning authority.

The resolution, adopted by the City Council, reasserts the City's constitutional right to self-governance under Article XX, Section 6 of the Colorado Constitution and expresses solidarity with six other home rule cities (Greenwood Village, Arvada, Aurora, Glendale, Lafayette, and Westminster) that have filed a lawsuit challenging House Bills 24-1304 and 24-1313, as well as Executive Orders D 2025 005 and 011.

"These state mandates strip away the ability of local governments to make decisions that reflect the unique needs and values of their communities," says Brian Risley, Council President Pro Tem. "Colorado Springs stands firmly in support of local control and the voices of our residents."

House Bill 24-1304 eliminates minimum parking requirements in certain developments, while House Bill 24-1313 mandates high-density housing in transit-oriented areas. The City Council argues that these laws undermine public input, bypass established zoning processes, and impose one-size-fits-all solutions on diverse communities.

The resolution also condemns Governor Jared Polis' Executive Order D 2025 005, which threatens to deprioritize discretionary state funding for municipalities that do not comply with the new housing laws. On October 9, 2025, the plaintiff cities filed for an injunction to temporarily block enforcement of the executive orders, citing constitutional violations and potential irreparable harm to local governance.

The City Council previously passed a resolution on May 27, 2025, opposing the Governor's executive order and reaffirming its commitment to local control.