Lafayette, Colorado – Six Cities Front Range filed a complaint against the state of Colorado and Governor Jared Polis, saying that the two have exceeded their authority through recent housing reforms.
The trial was filed Monday before the district court of Denver by the cities of Arvada, Aurora, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Lafayette and Westminster.
Cities demand two housing laws – House Bill 24-1313 And House Bill 24-1304 – and a 2025 Executive command Violates the constitution of colorado by stripping the local governments of their authority for the use of land.
“Our residents, I think, are super favorable to our decision to retaliate against the government of the State,” said the mayor of Lafayette, JD Mangat.
- Read the full trial below
Mangat said that when it comes to finding affordable housing, he is in the same boat as many people his age.
“I am the mayor of the city and I cannot afford to live in Lafayette,” said the mayor. “I live at home with my parents.”
Mangat, who is also a 7th and 8th year social study teacher, is committed to increasing affordable housing during his campaign.
“Personally, it was my number one number,” he told Denver7 on Tuesday.
Mangat said his city had succeeded in recent years, including the development of housing of 400 units called Corner WilloughbyBut the mayor believes that a pair of states laws and a recent decree could threaten this progress by keeping the power of local communities away.
HB24-1313 requires certain cities to increase housing density near transit lines, while HB24-1304 Prohibited from local governments to promulgate or enforce parking mandates for multifamilial housing developments. Friday, Polis signed an executive decree threatening to retain the state subsidies of the cities which do not comply with the laws on state housing.
“We have a home rule for a reason,” said Mangat. “We care about our community. We should have the right to make our own decisions about how we are tackling this problem.”
In Colorado, Home Rule is a governing structure that gives counties and cities more control over local issues. With Home Rule, local orders that approach local issues generally replace the law of the state. However, in terms of concern on the level of the State, the laws of the States may have priority, according to a Report by Legislative Council staff.
Polis explained the reasoning of his decree at a press conference on Friday.
“We take measures to ensure that the limited possibilities of state financing are priority for local governments which follow the laws of housing and the laws on the use of land and make their part, so that coloradans workers can afford to live, work and prosper in our state of Colorado,” said Polis before signing the decree. “We want to make sure that everyone works in good faith and has a plan to implement these laws.”
The trial marks the last chapter of a growing battle on which can decide how and where the new houses are built.
“The municipalities of Colorado will not be victims of intimidation by an administration and a legislature which gives a service to the lips to the local control but does not understand or does not respect the authority of the rules of domicile,” said Kevin Bommer, executive director of the Colorado Municipal League, which represents the interests of 270 cities and cities of Colorado. “Local elected officials have sworn to maintain the same State Constitution as the legislators of the States and the Governor.
Shelby Wieman, Governor’s press secretary, described the disappointing trial.
“Coloradans demand that our leaders reduce housing costs. Our state has a shortage of housing, and the governor wants to bring everyone to the table to help find solutions because it is a challenge that crosses local borders, “said Wieman. “It is disappointing to see certain local governments which have among the most expensive houses of Colorado using taxpayers money on a trial that could reduce the cost of housing. It is clear that the trial is to prevent more housing from being built than coloradans can afford. Rather than allowing the way in which more housing housing.
Obi Ezeadi, a Westminster advisor, said he did not agree with the creation of his city and thought they could have found “better ways to collaborate” with state representatives.
Wieman said the governor was still impatient to see the impact that laws would have on state communities.
“The governor is proud of this work, appreciates partnership and collaboration with so many local governments, and is eager to see its impact in communities through the State,” said Wieman. “We are convinced that a court will rule in favor of the state.”
The trial was filed in Denver because this is where the State Capitol is and where the bills were adopted and signed.
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The journalist for Denver7’s policy, Brandon Richard, closely follows the developments at the State Capitol and Washington, and widens more deeply to note how the legislation affects coloradans in each community. If you wish to contact Brandon, fill out the form below to send him an email.