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
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...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Great thread and blog post from Max Nardo with a summary of the results from Portland's middle housing legalization and how a similar policy might play out in Colorado:
Colorado faces a shortage of affordable, diverse housing options. Our new blog looks to Portland, Oregon, for lessons on how middle housing reforms can help fix that🏘️
From SWEEP and our new Housing Forward Colorado campaign
From SWEEP and our new Housing Forward Colorado campaign
Expanding Housing Choices in Colorado
Smaller homes on smaller lots delivering options and affordability in Portland…
housingforwardco.org
June 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Great thread and blog post from Max Nardo with a summary of the results from Portland's middle housing legalization and how a similar policy might play out in Colorado:
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Big shout out to Wheat Ridge City Council for getting rid of parking minimums for all multifamily development across the city. Motion passed last night 7-0!
@rachelhultin.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/live/FqvVCaT...
@rachelhultin.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/live/FqvVCaT...
Wheat Ridge City Council 6-23-25
YouTube video by Wheat Ridge Channel 8
www.youtube.com
June 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Big shout out to Wheat Ridge City Council for getting rid of parking minimums for all multifamily development across the city. Motion passed last night 7-0!
@rachelhultin.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/live/FqvVCaT...
@rachelhultin.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/live/FqvVCaT...
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Berkeley - the city that literally invented single-detached-only zoning – passed landmark zoning reform on Friday.
Berkeley will now allow 70 homes per acre across all residential zones (~8 homes per 5k sf lot). 🔥🔥🔥
Huge congrats to @eastbayforeveryone.bsky.social & their coalition!
Berkeley will now allow 70 homes per acre across all residential zones (~8 homes per 5k sf lot). 🔥🔥🔥
Huge congrats to @eastbayforeveryone.bsky.social & their coalition!
Celebrating Berkeley's Middle Housing upzoning win. 🎉 #berkmtg
June 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Berkeley - the city that literally invented single-detached-only zoning – passed landmark zoning reform on Friday.
Berkeley will now allow 70 homes per acre across all residential zones (~8 homes per 5k sf lot). 🔥🔥🔥
Huge congrats to @eastbayforeveryone.bsky.social & their coalition!
Berkeley will now allow 70 homes per acre across all residential zones (~8 homes per 5k sf lot). 🔥🔥🔥
Huge congrats to @eastbayforeveryone.bsky.social & their coalition!
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Essential reading for Coloradans interested in housing & land use.
“The state’s lot size and parking requirements are “really at odds with this notion of Colorado being an environmentally friendly state, a state where people care about the land, where a lot of attention is paid to land management.”
“The state’s lot size and parking requirements are “really at odds with this notion of Colorado being an environmentally friendly state, a state where people care about the land, where a lot of attention is paid to land management.”
Nearly 70% of Colorado land zoned for housing prohibits the most affordable types of homes, study finds
Nearly 70% of Colorado land zoned for housing prohibits the most affordable types of homes, study finds
In the first comprehensive review of Colorado land use laws, the National Zoning Atlas found that you can build single-family homes almost anywhere. But apartments, condos and townhomes are widely prohibited.
coloradosun.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Essential reading for Coloradans interested in housing & land use.
“The state’s lot size and parking requirements are “really at odds with this notion of Colorado being an environmentally friendly state, a state where people care about the land, where a lot of attention is paid to land management.”
“The state’s lot size and parking requirements are “really at odds with this notion of Colorado being an environmentally friendly state, a state where people care about the land, where a lot of attention is paid to land management.”
Proud to have worked on this! Check the thread for some key takeaways. Basically, progress is happening to make CO more affordable and sustainable!!
Today, our Housing Forward Colorado campaign published an updated Colorado Land Use Progress Report, which tracks local action to comply with the 2024 state land use laws.
June 30 was a major deadline & we reviewed dozens of city ordinances.
housingforwardco.org/colorado-lan...
A few takeaways:
June 30 was a major deadline & we reviewed dozens of city ordinances.
housingforwardco.org/colorado-lan...
A few takeaways:
CO Land Use Progress Report - July 2025 - Housing Forward CO
Documenting local governments putting state housing policy into action — and the creative solutions emerging statewide.
housingforwardco.org
July 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Proud to have worked on this! Check the thread for some key takeaways. Basically, progress is happening to make CO more affordable and sustainable!!
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Colorado faces a shortage of affordable, diverse housing options. Our new blog looks to Portland, Oregon, for lessons on how middle housing reforms can help fix that🏘️
From SWEEP and our new Housing Forward Colorado campaign
From SWEEP and our new Housing Forward Colorado campaign
Expanding Housing Choices in Colorado
Smaller homes on smaller lots delivering options and affordability in Portland…
housingforwardco.org
June 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Colorado faces a shortage of affordable, diverse housing options. Our new blog looks to Portland, Oregon, for lessons on how middle housing reforms can help fix that🏘️
From SWEEP and our new Housing Forward Colorado campaign
From SWEEP and our new Housing Forward Colorado campaign
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Smart and well researched op-ed by Lukas Hagen with the Neighborhood Development Collaborative
Opinion: Denver Parking Minimums Increase Housing Costs
Rigid Parking Minimums Increase Housing Costs: Making Denver Affordable Requires Flexibility
A propoal heading to Denver City Council would help lower rents and home prices in an era of high building material costs and exorbitant interest rates.
www.westword.com
June 23, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Smart and well researched op-ed by Lukas Hagen with the Neighborhood Development Collaborative
Reposted by Caroline Leland
Excellent new op-ed from Lukas Hagen on how removing parking mandates in Denver will "help lower rents and home prices in an era of high building material costs and exorbitant interest rates."
www.westword.com/news/denver-...
www.westword.com/news/denver-...
Rigid Parking Minimums Increase Housing Costs: Making Denver Affordable Requires Flexibility
A propoal heading to Denver City Council would help lower rents and home prices in an era of high building material costs and exorbitant interest rates.
www.westword.com
June 23, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Excellent new op-ed from Lukas Hagen on how removing parking mandates in Denver will "help lower rents and home prices in an era of high building material costs and exorbitant interest rates."
www.westword.com/news/denver-...
www.westword.com/news/denver-...