Throughout the 2024 legislative session at the Colorado General Assembly, the Boulder Chamber Policy Programs and Boulder Transportation Connections teams are keeping tabs on bills that support businesses and individuals with increased access to transit, more affordable workforce housing and communities that provide jobs, housing, and transit together. The Boulder Chamber has registered support for Senate Bill 24-032, Methods to Increase the Use of Transit; House Bill 24-1152, Accessory Dwelling Units; and House Bill 24-1313, Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities.
The Chamber’s Senior Director of Policy Programs, Jonathan Singer, testified before the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee in support of SB 24-032 earlier this month, arguing for the importance of making the Zero Fare for Better Air program during the high ozone season permanent and expanding the youth fare-free transit program statewide. The bill passed out of committee and awaits a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
This week, Policy Program Specialist Devin Edgley (pictured above) testified at the capitol in support of HB 24-1152, the Accessory Dwelling Units legislation, before the House Committee on Transportation, Housing and Local Government. This bill brings new opportunities to our state as we address the need for more affordable housing for people with low incomes, older adults, and people with disabilities. This bill offers a creative solution to the housing shortage by providing additional housing at an affordable rate and boosts our economy by creating opportunities for our workforce to live and work in closer proximity.
Policy programs and BTC staff were involved in stakeholder conversations about HB 24-1313, the new Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities bill, as it was drafted and continue to monitor its progress through the legislature. As described by Brian Eason in The Colorado Sun, “The measure would create a $35 million infrastructure grant fund to support transit-oriented development and set aside another $30 million in affordable housing tax credits for qualifying cities.” The bill marks a significant step toward Governor Polis’ vision for more affordable housing in well-connected communities that reduce air pollution and provide more people access to healthy, sustainable and efficient transportation options.
Along with the Boulder Chamber, the bill has garnered support from other organizations around the Front Range, including ProgressNow Colorado, Denver Streets Partnership, YIMBY Fort Collins, and Vibrant Littleton. Boulder Chamber President and CEO John Tayer said of HB 24-1313, “This bill is tailor-made for all of Colorado and is a critical cornerstone to addressing a major hurdle to our collective economic vitality. Communities need flexibility to meet their unique circumstances. However, we are overdue for a statewide solution that encourages and supports local governments in addressing our statewide housing crisis. Access to housing along transit corridors offers our workforce a convenient, cost-efficient and sustainable solution to their housing needs.”
The transit-oriented communities bill will be heard before the House Committee on Transportation, Housing and Local Government at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, March 6, at the state capitol.