City of Durango Brings Total to 22 Colorado Communities Meeting Proposition 123 Commitments

STATEWIDE - The Colorado Department of Local Affairs is celebrating a major milestone with the approval of 2,000 homes around the state in communities that are fully compliant with Proposition 123. The achievement, bolstered by the recent efforts of the City of Durango, represents a significant step in the state's ongoing commitment to building more housing Coloradans can afford on an accelerated timeline.

"Colorado is leading the way in building more housing Coloradans can afford, in the communities we love. Prop 123 is a partnership between the State and local communities that builds more housing and expands options across Colorado. Investing in housing people can afford helps more Coloradans put down roots in the places we love and call home," said Governor Polis.

While 217 local and tribal governments initially committed to nearly 23,000 affordable units for the first cycle of Proposition 123, HB26-1313 allows new flexibility mechanisms including the good faith effort waiver, which may impact the overall unit goal.

To be considered "fully compliant" under Proposition 123, local governments must meet two key requirements: hitting or exceeding their specific unit goals, and implementing an effective fast-track review policy for affordable housing projects.

Adding to the 2,000 unit fully compliant achievement, the total submitted approved units from local jurisdictions is nearing the 7,500 mark. These jurisdictions will count as fully compliant once they have fulfilled their unit goal and implemented an effective fast-track policy for eligible affordable housing projects.

"This milestone is much more than a number, it's stability for 2,000 families and a foundation for their futures," said DOLA Executive Director Maria De Cambra. "Every unit is a testament to how our state and local partnerships can improve lives in communities across our entire state. We applaud all of our local partners, whose tireless collaboration is turning the promise of Proposition 123 into a reality for residents."

The City of Durango recently submitted 184 units to DOLA's Division of Housing, elevating the total number of fully compliant submitted units to 2,078. La Plata County collaborated with Durango to share 14 countable units, as the units' location had been annexed into city limits.

"The goal is ultimately larger than Proposition 123 requirements," said Gilda Yazzie, City of Durango Councilor and Regional Housing Alliance Board Member. "It is ensuring that the people who work, raise families and contribute to Southwest Colorado have a realistic opportunity to live here."

"Reaching this milestone shows what's possible when we use every tool available to us. There wasn't one project or program that got us here. It took a mix of new housing, preservation, homebuyer assistance and local partnerships, and that same approach will continue to guide our work moving forward," said Mike French, City of Durango Prosperity Officer.

"The significance of this milestone is not simply that every jurisdiction reached its number. It is that we now have a stronger regional housing system, one that connects local investment, community partners and state resources to create opportunities that no single jurisdiction could achieve as effectively on its own," said Marsha Porter-Norton, Vice-Chair of the Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County (RHA) and La Plata County Commissioner.

With today's milestone announcement, the following twenty-two jurisdictions have now successfully met all of the statutory requirements of Proposition 123 by submitting compliant units and implementing an effective fast-track review policy:

In addition to the submitted fully compliant units, 140 jurisdictions have adopted fast track policies that ensure affordable housing projects are reviewed and decided within 90 days per application, as required by Proposition 123. These policies ensure that affordable housing projects are reviewed and decided upon within 90 days.

Local jurisdictions are not required to submit compliance materials until December 31, 2026, but DOLA encourages early reporting for communities committing to the next funding cycle.

For more information on Proposition 123 commitments and timelines, visit DOLA's website.

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