By Shaun Boyd | CBS Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis is putting local governments on notice: Either they comply with state housing laws, or they risk losing at least $100 million a year in state funding.
The governor signed an executive order that takes the battle over local control to a new level. Over the last two years, he’s signed bills regarding residential occupancy limits and accessory dwelling units, transit-oriented communities and manufactured homes, and even limits on staircases and parking spots.
But not everyone is on board with the new laws. Some local governments have flat out refused to comply. So the governor is upping the ante.
“What we are doing now is making sure we are putting our money where our mouth is,” Gov. Polis told CBS Colorado.
Polis signed an executive order that requires the Colorado Division of Local Government to track which cities and counties are implementing the new laws and which aren’t. Those that are would receive priority when it comes to dozens of discretionary grants related to economic development, transportation and energy efficiency.
“We need all our communities to step up and be part of the housing solution,” Polis said.
Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally says many of the new laws are unworkable in her city, where she says only 2% of the land is undeveloped, and water is scarce. What’s more, she says, the Colorado Constitution gives home rule cities like Westminster control over land use.
“We don’t need the state telling us what to do when, in the [state] Constitution, it states that is our job,” McNally told CBS Colorado. “And we take that seriously.”
So seriously that Westminster City Council directed staff not to comply with certain laws, even if it means the city loses state funding. Over the last five years, Westminster has received $6 million in grants for 44 different projects.