Housing

Housing for All: Protecting Boulder’s Future

Boulder is at a tipping point. If we want to remain a city for all—not just the wealthy—we must act boldly and compassionately on housing. Nearly 70% of Boulder residents agree: expanding affordable housing is an urgent need. With the average home price over $1 million and rents above $2,000/month, our housing stock simply doesn’t match the income levels of most working individuals, couples, or families.

COVID only made this worse, and we’re now seeing a troubling trend: young families are being priced out, and Boulder is rapidly aging. Our population over 65 is growing nearly twice as fast as the population under 18. Some west-side schools are experiencing steep enrollment drops, while surrounding communities like Lafayette and Louisville grow steadily. If we want Boulder to remain a diverse, vibrant, multi-generational place, we must build for it.

I believe in housing policy that reflects our values—and our future.

TL;DR

🚧 Boulder is at a crossroads

Soaring costs are pushing out essential workers and young families

🚸 Zoning shapes our future

Smart land use = walkability, inclusion, affordability, and climate action

✂️ Cutting red tape

Permitting is faster, restaurant rules are simplified, and housing near transit is coming

📈 Affordable housing momentum

We’re halfway to 15% by 2035—East Boulder and Area III are key opportunities

🏡 Middle-income housing matters

Supporting duplexes, triplexes, and modest family homes near schools and transit

⚖️ Align policy with values

Boulder can be for everyone—we should build the city we want for future generations

Land Use and Zoning

Land use and zoning shape nearly every aspect of our city’s future—from climate goals and walkable neighborhoods to economic inclusion and school enrollment. The rules we write today will either unlock Boulder’s potential or freeze it in time.

How I'm Working On It:

Cut red tape in planning and permitting to streamline business openings
Eliminated outdated Use Review requirements for restaurants and streamlined approval processes
Supported state reforms to legalize ADUs by right and eliminate parking minimums
Preparing Boulder to implement the new state “Transit Oriented Communities” law to allow more housing near transit corridors

Affordable Housing

Boulder is over halfway to its 2035 goal of having 15% of all housing stock designated as permanently affordable—but we need to keep our foot on the gas.

How I'm Working On It:

Helped finalize the East Boulder Subcommunity Plan, unlocking new affordable housing opportunities without displacing local businesses
Advocating for annexation of the Area III Planning Reserve—nearly 500 acres of land that was set aside decades ago to meet today’s needs
Supporting partnerships that leverage state and federal dollars to stretch local investments further

Middle-Income Housing

Affordable housing is critical, but we can’t forget about middle-income families. The teachers, nurses, and city workers who keep our community running are increasingly shut out of living here with rising living costs and stagnated wages.

How I'm Working On It:

Championing zoning changes to allow duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes near transit corridors and schools
Exploring ways to create more family-friendly housing with modest yards and multiple bedrooms at attainable prices
Advocating for incremental changes to expand middle-income housing options without displacing current residents

A Vision for Families

The future of Boulder depends on being a place where young families can put down roots. That means rethinking housing from the ground up—zoning, school access, density, affordability, and livability.

How I'm Working On It:

Using land use as a tool to attract and retain working families
Centering housing near schools, parks, and transit to support walkable, inclusive neighborhoods
Advocating for family-sized units and creative ownership models like co-ops and land trusts

Let’s Turn Our Values Into Action

Boulder can be more than a beautiful place to retire—it can be a place where families grow, kids thrive, and workers can live near where they work. We have the tools. We have the state-level momentum. Now, we need the political will to act. Let’s align our policies with our values and build a future where Boulder truly works for everyone.