2025 Colorado Legislative Session Recap: Major Wins for Workforce Housing Providers
The Workforce Housing Coalition secured critical victories in the 2025 Colorado legislative session, successfully defeating harmful legislation and protecting sustainable housing operations in a challenging political environment. Our bipartisan approach and collaboration with the Governor's office helped navigate complex housing policy debates.
SESSION OVERVIEW
This year's General Assembly was driven by urgency around a major budget shortfall and emerging housing issues. Lawmakers grappled with long-standing challenges and pressing new concerns, resulting in intense activism and cross-party collaboration.
Out of 733 bills introduced, 562 passed when the session ended May 7th. Affordable Housing & Infrastructure dominated the agenda as lawmakers tackled housing shortages through reforms in construction defect litigation, rental pricing algorithms, and transparency around hidden fees in the housing market.
Key Workforce Housing Coalition Victories:
Rent Algorithm Bill (HB25-1004): Secured amendments allowing landlords to use market studies based on publicly available data
Jury Trial Bill (HB25-1235): Successfully opposed this bill, which was postponed indefinitely after strong opposition from WHC and Governor Polis
Law Enforcement Bill (SB25-020): Narrowed scope to focus solely on health and safety standards rather than general municipal ordinances
Ongoing Challenges:
Junk Fees Bill (HB25-1090): Passed and signed, impacting common area maintenance fees and creating new operational compliance requirements
Security Deposit Bill (HB25-1249): Passed but Governor Polis has signaled intent to veto
About the Coalition: The Workforce Housing Coalition represents independent landlords, property managers, and housing advocates committed to sustainable workforce housing across Colorado. Workforce housing provides essential rental options for working families, teachers, first responders, and other middle-income earners. We focus on protecting both housing providers and residents through balanced policy that maintains housing availability and affordability. Our strategic bipartisan approach demonstrates how unified advocacy can create positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
Get the full story in our podcast recap for in-depth analysis of these legislative impacts and their practical implications for your operations. Stay connected as we prepare for the 2026 session and upcoming advocacy opportunities.
2025 Legislative Session Recap Podcast:
Victor Sulzer - Partner at Tschetter Sulzer Muccio with over 30 years of landlord-tenant law expertise
Matt LaCrue - Partner at Purple Label Government Solutions, lobbyist
Ellie Reynolds - Partner at Purple Label Government Solutions, lobbyist
Visit whccolorado.com or contact us to get involved and stay informed about upcoming advocacy opportunities.
Colorado Housing Crisis: What Property Owners Need to Know (New Podcast)
This podcast discusses the challenges faced by landlords and tenants in Colorado due to recent legislative changes affecting the rental market. The Workforce Housing Coalition aims to address these issues by advocating for the interests of small property owners and ensuring that housing remains affordable and accessible.
The conversation highlights specific bills that threaten the sustainability of workforce housing and emphasizes the need for collaboration between landlords, tenants, and the government to find effective solutions.
Legislation Discussed:
HB25-1240
HB25-1235
HB25-1168
Key Takeaways
The recent legislation has negatively impacted landlords and residents in Colorado.
Legislation can create unintended consequences for both landlords and tenants.
The need for a collaborative approach to housing issues is essential.
Specific bills threaten the sustainability of affordable housing.
Landlords face increasing challenges due to ambiguous legal language.
The importance of raising awareness about housing legislation is paramount.
Aligning interests between landlords and the government is crucial for housing stability.
Panelists:
Alison Shunneson
Victor Sulzer
Terrance Doyle
Priority Bills the Coalition is Addressing - March 27 2025
Important Legislative Update from the Workforce Housing Coalition
As the Colorado Legislature enters the final 40 days of its 120-day session, several housing-related bills that impact the multi-family sector have been introduced. Our focus has been on those pieces of legislation that pose potential risks to landlord rights and operational flexibility.
Four Key Bills to Watch:
HB25-1090 - Impacts fee structures for utilities and maintenance
HB25-1235 - Changes eviction service requirements and court procedures
HB25-1249 - Modifies security deposit regulations
SB25-020 - Expands government enforcement authority
Coalition Win: Our coalition has already secured important amendments to the Rent Algorithm bill (HB25-1004) to protect the use of market studies when setting rents.
What You Can Do:
Review our legislative memo for details [DOWNLOAD]
Share this information with your network
Visit https://www.whccolorado.com/ to learn how you can help
Your engagement matters - these bills will affect both property owners and residents across Colorado.
Priority Bills the Coalition is Addressing - March 12 2025
House Bill 1235: Jury Trial for Tenant Proceedings
Changes eviction process to require three personal service attempts on different days
Allows tenants to request jury trials for possession disputes
Creates delays in the eviction process
Would keep units off the market longer when courts are already facing backlogs
Has potential unintended consequences for housing availability
Senate Bill 20: Landlord and Tenant Law Enforcement
Grants extended powers to the Attorney General, counties, and cities
Allows them to initiate criminal and civil actions against landlords
Establishes a receivership mechanism where governments can take property if issues aren't remediated quickly
Currently targets multifamily properties but could expand to all rental properties
Described as potentially deterring investment in Colorado housing
House Bill 1249: Security Deposits
Reduces security deposit cap from two months' rent to one month's rent
Restricts what landlords can keep from deposits (can't keep for paint/carpet unless "severe damage")
Requires walkthrough with tenant to keep any security deposit
Follows a pattern of expanding restrictions from previous legislation
Could lead to higher rents as landlords seek to mitigate increased risk
House Bill 1004: No Pricing Coordination Between Landlords
Originally targeted algorithmic pricing tools
Coalition secured an amendment allowing the use of public market studies and indexes for rent-setting
Demonstrates how organized advocacy can transform problematic legislation into workable policy