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DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to remove restrictions that require minimum lot sizes of over 2,000 square feet for single-family homes.
“Between skyrocketing land values and some of the largest minimum lot size requirements in the country, Colorado still has barriers to building more housing that hardworking Coloradans can realistically afford,” said Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood. “Current minimum lot size requirements are way out of line with the needs of our communities, which is why we’re sponsoring legislation to cap the requirement to 2,000 square feet. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or looking to downsize, it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to buy a house that meets your needs. Our bill would open up more affordable housing opportunities for all Coloradans.”
“Minimum lot size mandates artificially restrict supply and drive up housing costs,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver. “This bill builds upon the work we’ve done over the last several sessions and will help spur development—boosting affordability and saving Coloradans money on housing.”
Beginning October 1, 2031, HB26-1114 would prohibit subject jurisdictions from requiring that a lot size for a single-family dwelling be greater than 2,000 square feet. It would also prohibit restrictions on lot frontage, setbacks and lot dimensions if these restrictions have the practical effect of preventing single-family homes from being built. Historic districts are exempt from this bill.
A 2025 report by the National Zoning Atlas found that 98-percent of land that allows single-family housing has a minimum lot size requirement, with 86-percent of that land having a two-acre minimum lot size mandate.
Rep. Woodrow sponsored a 2024 law to support local governments with their efforts to build more housing near public transit, cycling and walking corridors, places of employment and other centers of community. He also sponsored a law to eliminate parking minimum requirements for most new multi-family residential properties within a quarter mile of a transit stop or station to drive down housing costs and reduce traffic.