Colorado’s Housing Future: Gubernatorial Candidates Weigh In
Affordable housing has emerged as a critical issue shaping the race for Colorado’s next governor, directly impacting residents across the state, including our Denver communities. With the election set for November 3, 2026, candidates from both parties are unveiling comprehensive plans to tackle the growing challenges Coloradans face in finding accessible and affordable homes.
Democratic Candidate Phil Weiser’s Vision
Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democratic contender, has made tackling housing challenges his “top priority” if elected. Denver7 sat down with Weiser at the West Holden Place Apartments, a modular housing development in Denver, which showcases a concept he advocates for its 20-25% cost savings. Weiser aims to establish Colorado as a hub for this new construction method to provide cheaper housing access statewide.
His extensive housing plan also proposes speeding up permitting processes, offering down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers, and safeguarding affordable rental options. A key initiative is the establishment of a Colorado Housing Innovation and Coordination team, which would be led by the state’s first-ever Chief Housing Officer, emphasizing a coordinated approach to the crisis.
Senator Michael Bennet’s Democratic Housing Platform
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, another prominent Democratic figure, is also prioritizing housing on his campaign trail. Bennet’s strategy includes a commitment to significantly increase the supply of state-supported housing by 30% by 2025. He also advocates for building more starter homes and simplifying the process by introducing a single, common application for all state housing finance entities. Bennet highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that Colorado faces a deficit of approximately 106,000 housing units, underscoring the need to both meet current demand and close this significant supply gap.
Republican Solutions to the Housing Crisis
Republican gubernatorial candidates are also presenting their plans to address Colorado’s affordable housing dilemma, each offering distinct approaches:
State Rep. Scott Bottoms’ Three-Step Plan
State Representative Scott Bottoms (R-El Paso County) views affordable housing as a “top priority.” His plan involves a three-pronged approach: cutting red tape by fast-tracking permits and approvals for housing projects, opening state-owned land near transit hubs for new home construction, and linking state infrastructure funding to communities that prioritize building housing. Bottoms also proposes a public dashboard to track progress and, notably, aims to eliminate property taxes if elected.
Former Congressman Greg Lopez
Former Congressman Greg Lopez has outlined a housing plan that centers on increasing the availability of starter homes across Colorado, aiming to provide more entry-level ownership opportunities for residents.
State Senator Mark Baisley’s Free Market Stance
State Senator Mark Baisley (R-District 4) believes that the solution to affordable housing lies predominantly in the free market. He cautions against government intervention, stating it “messes it up every time,” and suggests that strengthening the economy to provide good-paying jobs would naturally allow people to afford homes without needing to label them “affordable housing.”
State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer’s Community Partnership
State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, representing Weld and Larimer counties, emphasizes the need for policies rooted in “partnership with our communities,” rather than “heavy-handed state mandates.” Her statement suggests a localized, collaborative approach to solving the housing crisis.
Comparing Candidates’ Housing Strategies
| Candidate | Party | Key Focus & Proposals |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Weiser | Democrat | Modular housing, faster permits, down payment assistance, Chief Housing Officer, protecting rental options. |
| Michael Bennet | Democrat | Increase state-supported housing by 30% by 2025, more starter homes, single housing finance application. |
| Scott Bottoms | Republican | Cut red tape/fast-track permits, use state land for housing, link infrastructure funds to housing, end property taxes. |
| Greg Lopez | Republican | Focus on adding more starter homes. |
| Mark Baisley | Republican | Free market solutions, avoid government intervention, promote good-paying jobs. |
| Barbara Kirkmeyer | Republican | Community partnerships, avoid state mandates. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado’s Housing & Gubernatorial Race
- What is Phil Weiser’s main priority regarding housing?
His top priority is tackling Colorado’s housing challenges, including promoting modular housing concepts, speeding up permitting, and establishing a Chief Housing Officer. - How do modular homes fit into the housing plans?
Phil Weiser specifically highlights modular housing as a way to achieve 20-25% cost savings in construction, aiming to make Colorado a center for this innovative building method. - What is Senator Michael Bennet’s target for increasing housing supply?
Bennet aims to ramp up the supply of state-supported housing by 30% by 2025 to address the state’s significant unit shortfall. - What different approaches do Republican candidates propose for housing?
Republicans offer varied solutions, from Scott Bottoms’ focus on cutting red tape and leveraging state land, to Greg Lopez’s emphasis on starter homes, Mark Baisley’s advocacy for the free market, and Barbara Kirkmeyer’s call for community-led partnerships. - When is Colorado’s next gubernatorial election?
Voters will have their say on who the next Colorado governor is on November 3, 2026.
As the gubernatorial race heats up, Colorado residents, particularly in Denver, have a range of proposed solutions to consider as they weigh which candidate best addresses the pressing need for affordable and accessible housing.
Colorado Governor Race Shapes Housing Future
