Cost of Living - Rocky Mountain Voice

Gazette editorial board: Colorado’s green agenda is pricing out homeowners

denvergazette.com, Approved, Commentary, State / May 27, 2025 / 75th Colorado Legislature, Affordable housing, Climate Policy, Colorado Housing Crisis, Cost of Living, Energy Code Mandates, Governor Jared Polis, Green Energy Regulations, Zero Emission Policy

Colorado’s governor and Legislature may claim they want more affordable housing — but they aren’t about to let it stand in the way of their headlong rush toward green energy. Their zero-emissions-at-any-cost dogma seems to trump all other policy priorities.

Which helps explain why the state’s Energy Code Board is poised to impose extreme energy standards — even more stringent than those already in effect — on new home construction. The pending rules would turn the screws on wide-ranging aspects of the building code — and are projected to add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a new home in Colorado.

Gazette editorial board: Colorado’s green agenda is pricing out homeowners Read More »

Denver’s not just going to the dogs—it’s leaving children behind

Westword, Approved, Local / May 26, 2025 / Birthrate Decline, City planning, Cost of Living, Demographics, Denver, Urban Culture

Denver is no longer a cowtown. It’s a dog city.

Long known as a hub for livestock, Denver has corraled several more amenities over the years. Outdoor sports, craft beer, legal weed, live music and a wave of tech jobs have attracted travelers and transplants alike. But those who stay in this city must acknowledge its four-legged rulers, whether you own one or not.

Denver’s not just going to the dogs—it’s leaving children behind Read More »

Cole: Illegal driving, rising costs, and scarce patrols—welcome to Denver’s roads

Commentary, Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories / May 5, 2025 / Car insurance, Cost of Living, Denver, Illegal Immigrants, Public safety, Reckless driving, Road safety, Traffic, Unlicensed drivers

Each afternoon, my three-mile commute home in Denver’s metro area is a nerve-wrecking ordeal. Drivers speed through stop signs, ignore red lights, or stop inexplicably at unmarked intersections. Cars swerve across lanes, straddle the center line, or disrupt four-way stops.

Vehicles without plates, with expired tags, or overdue permits are all too common.

As a single-income earner with only liability insurance, I dread a crash with an uninsured driver.

One accident could destroy my car—my lifeline to work and rent.

Cole: Illegal driving, rising costs, and scarce patrols—welcome to Denver’s roads Read More »

O’Donnell: It’s costly to live in Colorado—and now we top the charts in personal debt

Commentary, Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories / May 2, 2025 / Colorado economy, Consumer loans, Cost of Living, Fees, Inflation

Since 2021, inflation has been higher in Colorado than in any other state, mostly because of the cost of owning or renting a home. But this is also because the state legislature enjoys imposing new fees (you aren’t allowed to call them taxes) on seemingly anything they can think of.

Colorado residents may not, however, realize that because it is now so expensive to live in the state, Coloradans owe more money in mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, student loans and other consumer obligations than residents of ANY other state.

O’Donnell: It’s costly to live in Colorado—and now we top the charts in personal debt Read More »

Colorado families pay 19% more than the national average for groceries

kdvr.com, Approved, State / April 18, 2025 / Colorado families, Cost of Living, Grocery

It is a high priority for most U.S. residents and affects the likes of every person in the country, regardless of age — grocery prices.

The issue is so pressing that politicians can single-handedly run a campaign on the hot topic.

Colorado families pay 19% more than the national average for groceries Read More »

Here’s how much more expensive Denver has become since 2020

Local, Approved, Westword / March 31, 2025 / Affordable housing, Cost of Living, Denver

Residents across Denver’s neighborhoods are worried about the cost of living in the Mile High City, particularly related to the rising price of homes and rent.

Here’s how much more expensive Denver has become since 2020 Read More »

More than one-third of Colorado households endure financial hardship, report shows

Approved, gazette.com, State / January 15, 2025 / Cost of Living

A new report being released Wednesday from United Way Colorado and Ent Credit Union shows 37% of residents statewide and 34% in El Paso County are not earning enough to cover basic expenses such as housing, health care, transportation, food, child care and a rudimentary smartphone plan.

More than one-third of Colorado households endure financial hardship, report shows Read More »

Social Security payments will be affected soon by a cost of living change

Approved, National, The Street / September 3, 2024 / Cost of Living, Economy, Social Security

Sixty-eight million Americans receive Social Security Insurance (SSI) payments each month, and most retirees (58%) note that Social Security is a significant source of income in retirement.

Social Security payments will be affected soon by a cost of living change Read More »