Update: March 2025 Compliance with the Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance Act (Colorado Senate Bill 24-174).
The Regional Housing Needs Assessment 60-day Review webinar will provide guidance to local governments on the process for using Denver Regional Council of Governments’ Regional Housing Needs Assessment for compliance with the Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance Act (Colorado Senate Bill 24-174).
DRCOG’s Board of Directors accepted the Regional Housing Needs Assessment as a guide for future housing planning, strategy and action in October 2024. DRCOG staff in December 2024 submitted its Regional Housing Needs Assessment to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for conformity review with the Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance Act (Colorado Senate Bill 24-174). The Colorado Department of Local Affairs provided a response of conditional approval to the Regional Housing Needs Assessment on February 24, 2025. DRCOG will host a webinar to share the process for local governments to indicate their participation in the Regional Housing Needs Assessment through an upcoming 60-day public review beginning in July 2025.
Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance Act requires local governments to conduct and publish a housing needs assessment that conforms to methodologies developed by Colorado Department of Local Affairs by December 31, 2026. However, local governments are exempt from the requirement to conduct a local housing needs assessment if participating in a regional housing needs assessment that complies with Department of Local Affairs methodology. Local governments in the DRCOG region may use the regional assessment for compliance with the new state law if they review the Regional Housing Needs Assessment at a public meeting of their governing body and submit comments to DRCOG during a defined 60-day review period, which is anticipated to begin July 2025.
Housing in the Denver region isn’t just about shelter — it’s about opportunity and community. As housing affordability challenges affect quality of life in the region, the housing landscape must evolve to meet the needs of residents.
In response to the region’s pressing housing challenges, the DRCOG Board of Directors initiated the development of a Regional Housing Needs Assessment in 2023. The assessment included two important steps. The first analyzed regional data to identify gaps in housing supply and affordability across income levels and household types. The second step involved extensive engagement with stakeholders across various housing sectors to identify systemic barriers to developing sufficient housing that meets the needs of people of all ages, incomes, and abilities.
Stakeholder engagement
Throughout development of the assessment, DRCOG collaborated closely with local government officials, housing developers, community organizations, advocates, finance professionals, and economists. Through an advisory group, interviews, discussions, and focus groups, stakeholders shed light on challenges ranging from land use regulations to funding constraints and political dynamics.
Thank you to all participants who shared their diverse perspectives. Participant input was instrumental in understanding the complexities of the region's housing landscape and influencing future housing solutions.
Moving forward
The DRCOG Board of Directors accepted the Regional Housing Needs Assessment as a guide for future housing planning, strategy and action in October 2024. The report is an important milestone in the journey to bring new information and understanding of housing need to local governments across the region. DRCOG staff will continue to seek opportunities to share the report's findings with stakeholders. DRCOG staff plan to bring new understanding of housing needs forward into the development of a regional housing strategy to be launched in 2025. Collaboration and innovation will be key in navigating the challenges of housing development and working toward a stronger, more inclusive Denver region.
Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance Act (Colorado Senate Bill 24-174)
DRCOG submitted the Regional Housing Needs Assessment to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for conformity review per the Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance Act (Colorado Senate Bill 24-174). Staff received notice in February 2025 that the Regional Housing Needs Assessment is conditionally approved for substantial compliance. This allows local governments in the DRCOG region to use the regional assessment for compliance with SB24-174 if they review the Regional Housing Needs Assessment at a public meeting of their governing body and submit comments to DRCOG during a defined 60-day review period, which is anticipated to begin July 2025. Please join staff for a webinar on April 29, 2025 at 11:a.m. to learn more about this process.
Additional resources
Regional Housing Needs Assessment Dashboard
Funding note
Preparation of this report has been financed in part through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. This diverse funding approach underscores the collaborative effort required to address the region’ housing challenges.
Questions
Please contact Regional Planning and Development director Sheila Lynch with any questions.