Caroline Leland
@chleland.bsky.social
Small town NC girl turned CO urbanist. Working on climate-smart and community-oriented housing and land use policy with @sweep2001.bsky.social
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Lots of middle housing progress in Colorado!
- Lakewood legalized MH citywide in 2025
- Denver developing a policy now
- Boulder exploring the same in comp plan update
+ more
5 recent surveys:
- Lakewood and COS: ~2:1
- Boulder: 70-80% for 3-8 units
- Denver: 58:31 for 6 units | 62% for du/triplex
- Lakewood legalized MH citywide in 2025
- Denver developing a policy now
- Boulder exploring the same in comp plan update
+ more
5 recent surveys:
- Lakewood and COS: ~2:1
- Boulder: 70-80% for 3-8 units
- Denver: 58:31 for 6 units | 62% for du/triplex
January 16, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Lots of middle housing progress in Colorado!
- Lakewood legalized MH citywide in 2025
- Denver developing a policy now
- Boulder exploring the same in comp plan update
+ more
5 recent surveys:
- Lakewood and COS: ~2:1
- Boulder: 70-80% for 3-8 units
- Denver: 58:31 for 6 units | 62% for du/triplex
- Lakewood legalized MH citywide in 2025
- Denver developing a policy now
- Boulder exploring the same in comp plan update
+ more
5 recent surveys:
- Lakewood and COS: ~2:1
- Boulder: 70-80% for 3-8 units
- Denver: 58:31 for 6 units | 62% for du/triplex
Reposted by Caroline Leland
"Builders have been constructing bigger and bigger homes during the past half-century. Homes with four or more bedrooms made up nearly half of all new construction in 2022, according to Census Bureau data. That compares with 1 in 5 in the 1970s." How starter homes are disappearing: wapo.st/4prLnEm
www.washingtonpost.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:46 AM
"Builders have been constructing bigger and bigger homes during the past half-century. Homes with four or more bedrooms made up nearly half of all new construction in 2022, according to Census Bureau data. That compares with 1 in 5 in the 1970s." How starter homes are disappearing: wapo.st/4prLnEm
Some good news: Americans aren't as committed to car ownership as you might think!
This new study found that 18% of urban and suburban US car owners express a definite interest in living car-free, and an additional 40% are open to the idea -- in addition to the 10% of urban and suburban US residents already living without a car! humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Are Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance they would be happy to do without? …
humantransit.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Some good news: Americans aren't as committed to car ownership as you might think!
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Wildfire risk, intensified by climate change and sprawling development patterns, is driving up home insurance costs in Colorado -- where costs are the 4th highest in the country. Smart growth can help reduce this risk and lower costs! www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
Rising homeowners insurance costs add new pressure to Colorado housing market
Rising homeowners insurance costs are becoming a new challenge for Colorado homeowners and buyers, adding pressure to an already-expensive housing market.
www.denver7.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Wildfire risk, intensified by climate change and sprawling development patterns, is driving up home insurance costs in Colorado -- where costs are the 4th highest in the country. Smart growth can help reduce this risk and lower costs! www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Sprawl is more than cookie cutter subdivisions. It drives up housing, energy, and infrastructure costs, emissions, and risk. A new DOLA report compares “business as usual” to smart growth, and the results aren’t even close. We break it down in our latest blog: housingforwardco.org/colorado-at-...
Colorado at a crossroads: Why smart growth beats sprawl
We must be more strategic about the kinds of housing we choose to build and where we choose to build it.
housingforwardco.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Sprawl is more than cookie cutter subdivisions. It drives up housing, energy, and infrastructure costs, emissions, and risk. A new DOLA report compares “business as usual” to smart growth, and the results aren’t even close. We break it down in our latest blog: housingforwardco.org/colorado-at-...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Colorado is short 106,000 homes and will add 1.5M people by 2050. The question isn’t whether we grow—it’s how. DOLA’s new report shows smart growth and infill beat sprawl on costs, climate, and resilience. Read our full analysis: housingforwardco.org/colorado-at-...
Colorado at a crossroads: Why smart growth beats sprawl
We must be more strategic about the kinds of housing we choose to build and where we choose to build it.
housingforwardco.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Colorado is short 106,000 homes and will add 1.5M people by 2050. The question isn’t whether we grow—it’s how. DOLA’s new report shows smart growth and infill beat sprawl on costs, climate, and resilience. Read our full analysis: housingforwardco.org/colorado-at-...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Our latest blog post by HFC lead @mattfrommer.bsky.social and economist Luke Teater crunches the numbers on how housing construction affects low-income renters in #Denver: housingforwardco.org/denvers-hous...
Denver Housing Construction Benefits Low-Income Renters
Denver’s recent experience shows that when we build more housing, rents fall – and they fall the most for households that need the greatest relief.
housingforwardco.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Our latest blog post by HFC lead @mattfrommer.bsky.social and economist Luke Teater crunches the numbers on how housing construction affects low-income renters in #Denver: housingforwardco.org/denvers-hous...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
"The burden of soaring housing costs is primarily driven by the fact that the United States does not have enough housing to meet demand." We agree, AND the new construction needs to be where infrastructure already exists!
New from CAP: www.americanprogress.org/article/buil...
New from CAP: www.americanprogress.org/article/buil...
Build, Baby, Build: A Plan To Lower Housing Costs for All
CAP’s plan would focus federal efforts on building homes and lower housing costs.
www.americanprogress.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:30 AM
"The burden of soaring housing costs is primarily driven by the fact that the United States does not have enough housing to meet demand." We agree, AND the new construction needs to be where infrastructure already exists!
New from CAP: www.americanprogress.org/article/buil...
New from CAP: www.americanprogress.org/article/buil...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Single-stair buildings allow for more homes in the same amount of space -- a design tweak that can help us solve the housing shortage. Recognizing these benefits, Denver is going beyond the state requirements to allow more single-stair buildings: archive.is/2025.11.17-1...
archive.is
November 19, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Single-stair buildings allow for more homes in the same amount of space -- a design tweak that can help us solve the housing shortage. Recognizing these benefits, Denver is going beyond the state requirements to allow more single-stair buildings: archive.is/2025.11.17-1...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Lakewood Colorado is now a leader in housing reform and legalizing more attainable and affordable homes. When will Denver and other cities across the Front range catch up?
(1/4) Lakewood just adopted one of Colorado’s most significant zoning updates: legalizing middle housing citywide and making room for the kind of compact, affordable homes the city has been missing.
November 18, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Lakewood Colorado is now a leader in housing reform and legalizing more attainable and affordable homes. When will Denver and other cities across the Front range catch up?
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Big congrats to Grand Junction, Superior, Larimer County, Glenwood Springs, Fruita, Brighton, and Longmont on being the first to receive grant money from Colorado's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Grant Program! www.cpr.org/2025/11/19/c...
Cities around the state get funds to help encourage more ADUs
The grants are part of a larger effort to expand the state’s supply of smaller, more affordable housing options.
www.cpr.org
November 21, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Big congrats to Grand Junction, Superior, Larimer County, Glenwood Springs, Fruita, Brighton, and Longmont on being the first to receive grant money from Colorado's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Grant Program! www.cpr.org/2025/11/19/c...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
👏 We applaud the state on launching Housing Hub Colorado: A centralized resource for accessing federal Housing Tax Credits, plus state and local gap funding, to build affordable rental housing. We hope this functions as a streamlined, one-stop-shop for accessing that money!
housinghubcolorado.com
housinghubcolorado.com
Housing Hub Colorado – A centralized resource for affordable rental housing utilizing Housing Tax Credits and gap funding.
A centralized resource for affordable rental housing utilizing federal Housing Tax Credits and state and local gap funding
housinghubcolorado.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
👏 We applaud the state on launching Housing Hub Colorado: A centralized resource for accessing federal Housing Tax Credits, plus state and local gap funding, to build affordable rental housing. We hope this functions as a streamlined, one-stop-shop for accessing that money!
housinghubcolorado.com
housinghubcolorado.com
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Big pro-housing win: Last week, Denver City Council voted to allow five-story single-stair buildings! This design tweak is equally safe from a fire perspective and enables us to fit more homes in a given building -- making them all more affordable! www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/24/d...
Denver City Council approves single-stair building ordinance
Members of the Denver City Council approved an ordinance on Monday that adds provisions allowing five-story single-stair buildings into Denver’s building and fire code amendments. The ordinance also…
www.coloradopolitics.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Big pro-housing win: Last week, Denver City Council voted to allow five-story single-stair buildings! This design tweak is equally safe from a fire perspective and enables us to fit more homes in a given building -- making them all more affordable! www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/24/d...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Kudos to Brighton for streamlining its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) permitting process by offering pre-approved building designs! Brighton is funding this initiative through a $38k grant from the state's new ADU Grant Program. #HousingPolicy #AccessoryDwellingUnits
www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
Brighton to streamline permitting process for ADUs by offering pre-approved plans
As recent state legislation has required more communities to allow accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, some local governments are trying to make it easier for homeowners to built one on their property.
www.denver7.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Kudos to Brighton for streamlining its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) permitting process by offering pre-approved building designs! Brighton is funding this initiative through a $38k grant from the state's new ADU Grant Program. #HousingPolicy #AccessoryDwellingUnits
www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
"The multigenerational living setup is a dream made possible by the Denver Housing Authority's ADU program." Learn how one family is benefitting: www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
Denver Housing Authority sees increase in ADU assistance program
A state law requiring cities to allow accessory dwelling units on properties with single-family homes went into effect back in June, and a Denver Housing Authority program that helps Denverites build…
www.cbsnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:06 AM
"The multigenerational living setup is a dream made possible by the Denver Housing Authority's ADU program." Learn how one family is benefitting: www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
@cocoalition.bsky.social plans to renovate the 216 studios and SRO units it already owns in the Downtown Denver YMCA building-- and build additional homes in the remaining 40k sq ft, turning the building into an affordable housing complex. Love this adaptive reuse! denverite.com/2025/12/01/d...
Downtown Denver’s YMCA to close this month, become affordable housing
The YMCA of Metropolitan Denver plans to sell the last 40,000 square feet of its downtown facility to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
denverite.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:29 AM
@cocoalition.bsky.social plans to renovate the 216 studios and SRO units it already owns in the Downtown Denver YMCA building-- and build additional homes in the remaining 40k sq ft, turning the building into an affordable housing complex. Love this adaptive reuse! denverite.com/2025/12/01/d...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
@ezraklein.bsky.social lays out the argument that we have a nationwide housing shortage on our hands. In Colorado, we're 106k homes short - and counting. What Klein doesn't mention is that we need new housing built in urban areas, where infrastructure already exists. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:36 AM
@ezraklein.bsky.social lays out the argument that we have a nationwide housing shortage on our hands. In Colorado, we're 106k homes short - and counting. What Klein doesn't mention is that we need new housing built in urban areas, where infrastructure already exists. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Big win in Lakewood: middle housing is now legal citywide + smaller lots, parking reform and more!
A win for climate, affordability, and pathways to homeownership, and a model for other Colorado cities. Read about it here 👇
A win for climate, affordability, and pathways to homeownership, and a model for other Colorado cities. Read about it here 👇
(1/4) Lakewood just adopted one of Colorado’s most significant zoning updates: legalizing middle housing citywide and making room for the kind of compact, affordable homes the city has been missing.
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Big win in Lakewood: middle housing is now legal citywide + smaller lots, parking reform and more!
A win for climate, affordability, and pathways to homeownership, and a model for other Colorado cities. Read about it here 👇
A win for climate, affordability, and pathways to homeownership, and a model for other Colorado cities. Read about it here 👇
Check out my latest blog post on the climate argument for smart growth ⬇️
Colorado’s 2024 land use reforms on ADUs, parking, and TOD were a big step.
But the real climate and affordability gains come when cities go beyond the minimums.
Let’s double down on smart growth to cut emissions, costs, and wildfire risk.
Here's our breakdown:
housingforwardco.org/five-ways-sm...
But the real climate and affordability gains come when cities go beyond the minimums.
Let’s double down on smart growth to cut emissions, costs, and wildfire risk.
Here's our breakdown:
housingforwardco.org/five-ways-sm...
Five ways smart land use policies tackle climate change in Colorado
Strategic growth policies can reduce emissions from transportation and buildings while saving residents money and protecting open lands.
housingforwardco.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Check out my latest blog post on the climate argument for smart growth ⬇️
(1/2) The CO Energy Office modeled how smart land use policies impact GHG emissions &climate risks. The results:
🏘️ -31% building emissions
🚗 -15% household transpo emissions
🌲 +30% of new homes shifted from greenfield development to infill
🔥 -Tens of thousands fewer homes in wildfire-prone areas
🏘️ -31% building emissions
🚗 -15% household transpo emissions
🌲 +30% of new homes shifted from greenfield development to infill
🔥 -Tens of thousands fewer homes in wildfire-prone areas
October 20, 2025 at 6:53 PM
(1/2) The CO Energy Office modeled how smart land use policies impact GHG emissions &climate risks. The results:
🏘️ -31% building emissions
🚗 -15% household transpo emissions
🌲 +30% of new homes shifted from greenfield development to infill
🔥 -Tens of thousands fewer homes in wildfire-prone areas
🏘️ -31% building emissions
🚗 -15% household transpo emissions
🌲 +30% of new homes shifted from greenfield development to infill
🔥 -Tens of thousands fewer homes in wildfire-prone areas
Transportation is Colorado’s largest source of GHG emissions, and one of the hardest to decarbonize. EVs help, but we also need to reduce driving. Compact, walkable neighborhoods can cut household transportation emissions by 15% in fast-growing areas. Learn more: housingforwardco.org/five-ways-sm...
Five ways smart land use policies tackle climate change in Colorado
Strategic growth policies can reduce emissions from transportation and buildings while saving residents money and protecting open lands.
housingforwardco.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Transportation is Colorado’s largest source of GHG emissions, and one of the hardest to decarbonize. EVs help, but we also need to reduce driving. Compact, walkable neighborhoods can cut household transportation emissions by 15% in fast-growing areas. Learn more: housingforwardco.org/five-ways-sm...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Great new op-ed from State Rep Stewart on the benefits of Lakewood's zoning code proposal to expand housing choices by legalizing "missing middle housing".
These housing options cost $230k less than single detached homes. They also reduce driving & energy/water use.
coloradosun.com/2025/08/07/o...
These housing options cost $230k less than single detached homes. They also reduce driving & energy/water use.
coloradosun.com/2025/08/07/o...
Opinion: Lakewood’s attempt to increase “middle housing” would be big step to address crisis in Colorado
With updates to zoning laws, Lakewood officials can lead other communities down a path to fixing housing shortages and costs.
coloradosun.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Great new op-ed from State Rep Stewart on the benefits of Lakewood's zoning code proposal to expand housing choices by legalizing "missing middle housing".
These housing options cost $230k less than single detached homes. They also reduce driving & energy/water use.
coloradosun.com/2025/08/07/o...
These housing options cost $230k less than single detached homes. They also reduce driving & energy/water use.
coloradosun.com/2025/08/07/o...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
New press release from SWEEP & partners:
Environmental and housing groups support new executive order rewarding local governments for tackling the housing affordability and climate crises.
www.swenergy.org/conservation...
Environmental and housing groups support new executive order rewarding local governments for tackling the housing affordability and climate crises.
www.swenergy.org/conservation...
Conservation and housing groups support new executive order rewarding local governments for tackling the housing affordability and climate crises - Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
www.swenergy.org
August 13, 2025 at 8:21 PM
New press release from SWEEP & partners:
Environmental and housing groups support new executive order rewarding local governments for tackling the housing affordability and climate crises.
www.swenergy.org/conservation...
Environmental and housing groups support new executive order rewarding local governments for tackling the housing affordability and climate crises.
www.swenergy.org/conservation...
I'm so proud to have played a tiny part in helping make this happen! This is the most impactful land-use policy change for enabling more housing in urban areas -- not to mention important for fighting urban heat islands and protecting watershed quality! 🏘️☀️💧🌄
After a long night, Denver city council voted 9-3 to eliminate minimum parking requirements for all uses citywide! 👏
August 5, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I'm so proud to have played a tiny part in helping make this happen! This is the most impactful land-use policy change for enabling more housing in urban areas -- not to mention important for fighting urban heat islands and protecting watershed quality! 🏘️☀️💧🌄
Reposted by Caroline Leland
SWEEP's latest report in the Colorado Sun:
"The cities that aren’t fighting Jared Polis’ housing agenda - Many Colorado cities are taking steps to obey the state’s new land use laws — and some have gone even further than they’re required." @maxnardoco.bsky.social
coloradosun.com/2025/05/30/t...
"The cities that aren’t fighting Jared Polis’ housing agenda - Many Colorado cities are taking steps to obey the state’s new land use laws — and some have gone even further than they’re required." @maxnardoco.bsky.social
coloradosun.com/2025/05/30/t...
The Unaffiliated | The cities that aren’t fighting Jared Polis’ housing agenda
Plus: A voter presses Michael Bennet on why he’s running for governor. Michael Dougherty on the offensive.
coloradosun.com
May 30, 2025 at 5:42 PM
SWEEP's latest report in the Colorado Sun:
"The cities that aren’t fighting Jared Polis’ housing agenda - Many Colorado cities are taking steps to obey the state’s new land use laws — and some have gone even further than they’re required." @maxnardoco.bsky.social
coloradosun.com/2025/05/30/t...
"The cities that aren’t fighting Jared Polis’ housing agenda - Many Colorado cities are taking steps to obey the state’s new land use laws — and some have gone even further than they’re required." @maxnardoco.bsky.social
coloradosun.com/2025/05/30/t...