Affordable housing will come when we split lots
I am fortunate to own a home in Habitat for Humanityās High Street Community in Denverās Cole neighborhood. Like many young Coloradans, I believed that homeownership might never be within reach. Habitat Metro Denver changes that story by creating affordable homeownership opportunities that allow people like me to stay rooted in the communities we care about.
In my neighborhood, families worry about whether their children will ever be able to afford a home nearby, whether aging parents will be able to downsize, and whether longātime residents will be forced to leave as costs rise. Stable homeownership brings predictability and stability for communities.
Habitat Metro Denver builds, preserves, and promotes affordable homeownership, yet outdated zoning and landāuse rules often make this work difficult and expensive. Habitat has successfully built homes on smaller and split lots, demonstrating that thoughtful use of land can create highāquality, attainable housing within neighborhoods.
House Bill 1308 builds on what is already working. By allowing one residential lot to become two homes where appropriate, the bill helps unlock housing opportunities on land that is already zoned for residences. This reduces land costs, supports more attainable home prices, and expands homeownership opportunities without changing the character of our neighborhoods.
Homeownership should not be limited to those who can afford large lots and rising land prices. Policies like HB 1308 help ensure more people can build stability and remain connected to their communities.
I urge legislators to vote yes on HB 1308 and support more opportunities for attainable homeownership for people like me.
Jesselina Cordova, Denver
Voters, there is more to a candidate than name recognition
William Shakespeare famously asked, āWhat¶¶Ņõap in a name?ā Ā And the meaning of the famous reply, āThat which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,ā suggests that there is more to consider than just name recognition when casting your vote for the highest elected officials in Colorado this June.
Recent polls indicate that our current Attorney General Phil Weiser trails in name recognition in the governorās race. However, he is who Colorado needs as governor because he has led and worked with all state agencies for the last eight years, making him ready to lead on Day One. Also, he has done an excellent job for us in defending our rights and freedoms as Coloradans.
Conversely, our current secretary of state, now a candidate for AG, has an advantage in that race because she has strong name recognition. This does not mean that she is the best person for the job. There are several other highly qualified candidates in the AG race.
Please donāt base your vote on name recognition. Do your homework before these veryĀ important elections.Ā I urge voters to hear the candidates speakĀ about their values and experience,Ā whether in person or online.Ā In addition, go to their campaign websites to read about their platforms andĀ the issues that matter most to them.
Jane Robbins,Ā Centennial
Ā Imagine just one less car-centric space
Lately, while carpooling with friends to a live show, Iāve found myself looking past the auto-loan billboards and dealerships toward the Front Range. While the mountains always inspire a sense of wonder, Iāve noticed how much of our immediate Denver landscape is dedicated exclusively to the car.
Working from home has shifted my perspective. Without the daily drive, Iāve had the space to ask a curious question: How did “the car” become so deeply ingrained in my subconscious as the only way to move? I grew up in an environment where the car was king, and a license was the ultimate rite of passage. Yet, Iāve recently rediscovered a familiar elation by mixing in the light rail, the bus, and my bicycle. It¶¶Ņõap the same spark of adventure I felt on my very first bike as a kid.
When Iām a passenger, I find myself imagining our streets with more balance — perhaps a few more garden centers, coffee shops, or neighborhood hubs like a public market where a parking lot currently stands. Iām not suggesting cars shouldnāt exist, but rather wondering what our community could look like if we embraced a greater diversity of transit.
If you could replace just one car-only space in your neighborhood with something that helps buildĀ community, what could youĀ dream of?
Salvatore Vincent Lannutti, Lakewood
Editor’s note: Cordova is the advocacy coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
