1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I am writing as a Colorado resident to urge you to reconsider policies that continue to incentivize large-scale new neighborhood development, and instead focus on addressing the significant number of vacant homes and investor-owned single-family properties already within our communities. Colorado does not have a simple housing shortage problem — we have a housing access, allocation, and planning problem. The current approach of approving continual new developments primarily benefits developers, not residents. It does not reflect the needs, priorities, or wishes of most Coloradans. Repeatedly expanding poorly planned neighborhoods on smaller and smaller lots creates long-term costs for communities while offering short-term gains to private interests. Endless building contributes to: • Increased traffic congestion without adequate transportation planning • Strain on already limited water resources • Overburdened infrastructure and emergency services • Loss of open space, wildlife habitat, and natural landscapes • Communities designed around cars rather than livability Coloradans want thoughtful growth — not sprawl. Many existing homes sit vacant or are held by corporations and investment groups that remove housing from the local market, inflate prices, and destabilize neighborhoods. Meanwhile, working families struggle to afford housing while being told the solution is more development rather than better use of what already exists. I strongly encourage the state to adopt policies that prioritize people, sustainability, and long-term planning, including: • Significantly higher property tax rates on vacant residential properties, especially those left unoccupied for extended periods • Increased taxes on single-family homes owned by corporations, private equity firms, and large investors • Lower taxes and protections for owner-occupied primary residences, particularly for low- and middle-income Coloradans • Incentives to return vacant housing to long-term residential use, not speculative holding • Meaningful investment in traffic mitigation, public transportation, and water infrastructure before approving additional large-scale housing projects Homeownership should support stable communities — not function primarily as a financial instrument. Colorado’s natural resources are not infinite. Our water supply, open spaces, and quality of life should not be sacrificed to meet development quotas that ignore infrastructure realities and resident input. Growth should be intentional, well-planned, and aligned with what Coloradans consistently say they value: livable communities, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability. I urge you to support legislation that: • Discourages unnecessary residential sprawl • Holds corporate housing ownership financially accountable • Protects owner-occupied homes • Prioritizes infrastructure and resource planning before new development • Keeps Colorado livable for the people who work, raise families, and contribute here Thank you for your time and for considering policies that reflect the true needs and values of Colorado residents.