Notes from the CDO Director: Season of Gratitude
Happy November,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to express my gratitude to our local governments, community partners, and CDO staff. I am inspired by the collaborative efforts taking place to ensure Colorado grows thoughtfully and sustainably and CDO continues to develop resources and deliver technical support for local governments. Continue reading to learn more about the tools, funding, and events available.
All the best,
Andy Hill, Director, Community Development Office
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Land Use and Housing Implementation Updates
 ADU under construction in Denver
Inaugural Round of Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program (ADUG) Awarded
DOLA's Division of Local Government (DLG) recently awarded the first round of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program (ADUG). This program supports local governments in activities that make it easier to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) such as:
- Offsetting costs for developing pre-approved ADU plans
- Providing technical assistance to homeowners, or
- Waiving, reducing, or providing financial assistance for ADU associated fees and other required costs.
By reducing barriers to construction of these smaller, more affordable units in detached home neighborhoods, ADUs present a viable alternative to low-density, dispersed development.
The next round of ADUG funding will run February 2-27, 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to fill out this short ADUG interest survey and register for an information session on December 17, 2025, at 11 a.m.
To further support compliance with the ADU law, DOLA also recently released a new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Toolkit, a comprehensive resource that serves as a clearinghouse for local governments researching or updating their current ADU regulations, programs, incentives, and homeowner assistance materials.
For more information on ADU requirements and resources, please visit DOLA’s ADU webpage.
DOLA Releases Strategic Growth Report
 On October 31, 2025, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) published the Colorado Strategic Growth Report and Policy Recommendations in compliance with Senate Bill 24-174. SB24-174 directed DOLA to develop a report that analyzes policy-driven land use scenarios, the impact of existing state policies and programs, and regional context with the aim of proactively addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by Colorado's significant and varied growth across Front Range, mountain, and rural communities. In response, the Strategic Growth Report provides a deep look at policies and trends that define growth in Colorado.
This analysis was developed with extensive stakeholder and subject matter expert input. DOLA engaged hundreds of officials from municipalities, counties, special districts, and a diverse range of stakeholders including housing advocates, conservation groups, and economic development organizations. DOLA would like to thank all participants for their time and expertise.
Resource Spotlight: Affordability and Displacement Mitigation Strategies
CDO recently hosted a series of webinars to dive into affordability and displacement mitigation strategies required by SB24-174 (for housing action plans) and HB24-1313 (for transit-oriented communities). Jurisdictions subject to these laws must select multiple options from the affordability and displacement mitigation strategy menus, or create their own comparable strategies.
These webinars build upon the strategy directory DOLA published in June with an overview of the strategies and implementation requirements along with time for Q&A. Recordings and slides for both webinars are available on our state land use and housing laws webpage.
DOLA Updates
Regional Design Criteria Codes for Factory-Built Structures: Implementation Underway
 Fading West Modular Factory, Buena Vista, CO
The Department of Local Affairs’ Division of Housing is implementing Senate Bill 25-002, which creates regional design criteria for factory-built structures, including workforce housing, classrooms, and tiny homes. The bill aims to make it easier to build structures that can fit in multiple jurisdictions using a single set of plans. This is expected to reduce duplication and expand access to safe, affordable buildings – including housing – statewide.
DOLA convened a Technical Advisory Committee, made up of local building officials and industry experts. The group meets biweekly to help streamline rules and boost consistency and resiliency across Colorado’s varied climates and communities. The public is welcome to join committee meetings. Stay up-to-date: subscribe to DOLA’s Building Codes and Standards newsletter.
Direct Support for Child Care Facility Projects
DOLA, in partnership with Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), is now offering direct support sessions to help communities and project leaders move child care facility projects forward.
These flexible, 30-minute technical assistance sessions are designed for projects that are facing time-sensitive milestones or need targeted expert guidance to help support a singular or broad child care facility development project.
Support may include:
- Navigating regulations
- Facility planning
- Project financing strategies
- Connections to tools, insights and resources
If your project is eligible, you’ll be matched with a technical assistance expert and receive a shared documentation file with notes, resources, and next steps.
Request A Direct Support Session or reach out to Housing Development Specialists Erin McNab or Matt Long with any questions.
Proposition 123 Updates
 Proposition 123 Funding Distribution Dashboard Updated
The Proposition 123 Funding Distribution Dashboard has been updated with data current through September 2025.
Developed in partnership with the State Demography Office, the interactive dashboard offers a detailed view of how Proposition 123 funds are distributed across the state and also includes maps showing award amounts per county, per person, eligible jurisdictions, and funding by program.
As a reminder, all funding distribution figures are estimates based on award data and will continue to be updated quarterly.
Proposition 123 Expedited Review (Fast Track) Update
Prop 123 Fast track policy adoption: View the list of over 40 local governments whose Prop 123 fast track policy has been adopted and verified by DOLA. If your community is also working on this, we strongly encourage you to submit the draft policy documents for courtesy review prior to formal adoption and visit DOLA’s fast track guidance website to access all our implementation support resources, including the downloadable local government self-assessment checklist which will help you understand the statutory requirements that DOLA needs to verify fast track compliance.
Early Adoption Incentives: Incentive awards are available for early adoption (no local match required). To qualify, jurisdictions must submit documentation via the Prop 123 portal by the following deadlines, and then submit documentation of policy adoption via the Prop 123 Portal:
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Adopt by December 31, 2025: Receive up to $50,000.
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Adopt by January 1 – June 30, 2026: Eligible for smaller incentive awards.
Grant Opportunities & Support: Additional funding to support policy adoption is available through the Local Planning Capacity grant program.
Register for an Informational Webinar: Thursday, January 8, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Spring Funding Cycle: Opens January 26 and closes February 26, 2026.
Funding
Housing Planning Grant Program (HPLN)
The HPLN Grant Program offers funding to support Housing Needs Assessments, Housing Action Plans, and Comprehensive Plan Elements (strategic growth and water supply).
NEW: Transit Oriented Communities Infrastructure Grant Program
The TOCI Grant Program provides funding to local governments for upgrading infrastructure and supporting regulated affordable housing.
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Dates: Pilot round application is open and closes Friday, December 12, 2025
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Eligibility/Applicability: Projects must be in Transit Centers and designated Neighborhood Centers within certified Transit-Oriented Communities.
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Next Steps: Indicate interest in applying by answering this 3-minute survey. Potential applicants must also schedule a pre-application meeting with the TOCI Program Manager and the DOLA technical assistance team.
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