Across the country, states are passing extreme laws to restrict our freedoms. These laws targeting women, the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized communities have spread like wildfire.
While the rights and protections of these communities in surrounding states like Wyoming and Utah — which collectively passed six anti-trans bills this year — go up in flames, Colorado has been a safe haven where people’s fundamental rights and choices are protected.
In spite of that, a slowly creeping crisis has grown at home in Colorado that now threatens the future of many LGBTQIA+ Coloradans and their families, as well as families across the state. As the affordable housing crisis continues to grow in severity, it is preventing more and more people from being able to call this state home.
Back in 2015, I moved to the Centennial state for its promise of an adventurous and prosperous future. My sister lived here, and the progressive, forward-thinking community of Colorado made me feel supported and protected to live an authentic life without fear.
I bought a condo in Greeley, started my family, and built a life. Over the years, the future I envisioned for me here has slowly crumbled due to the increasingly polarizing state of our local and federal politics.
Between neighborhood kids trespassing on our property and stealing our pride flag, hateful slurs at the grocery store, and the “unsafe environment at Greeley-Evans School District board of education meetings,” I now feel trapped in a community where I fear for the safety of myself and my family.
I’ve looked into buying a home in more accepting, open-minded communities in Colorado. Cities like Fort Collins, Boulder, Lakewood, and Longmont. Unfortunately, our housing shortage and affordability crisis has stopped Colorado families like mine from being able to move into these communities, let alone buy a home on a different block or neighborhood.
The reality is people looking for safety, freedom from discrimination, and access to our Colorado way of life can’t afford to move here. In fact, the state needs to build more than 500,000 houses to begin to make up for the severe housing shortage and ease the continued rise in housing costs. More than 300,000 Coloradans are already spending more than a third of their income on housing and more and more Coloradans are being forced to move out of state.
Every Coloradan, and person who seeks refuge in our state, should be able to keep a roof over their head and live in communities close to work, family, and recreation. That’s why I am supporting Senate Bill 213. We need a statewide solution that will remove dated housing restrictions (many of which are steeped in racist and discriminatory practices) so that we can build more housing and create more diverse and affordable housing options.
My family has tried to look into more affordable housing options but there are still so many local restrictions that prevent duplexes, multiplexes, ADUs and other more attainable options. I’ve looked into buying property and putting a manufactured home on it, but many municipalities prohibit this and other similar options.
I’ve found that when it comes to Colorado tackling the housing crisis, it’s our outdated local laws that are standing in the way and keeping families like mine from finding a home we can afford and where we feel comfortable and safe living.
If Colorado is going to get serious about the housing shortage crisis and about remaining an inclusive safe haven, we have to pave the way for meaningful planning and policies that build homes people want and can afford.
Decades of disparate local laws have played a role in creating this crisis. We have the data and research to change course and to keep families like mine healthy, safe, and grounded. Before this year’s state legislative session ends, state lawmakers must support Senate Bill 213 to protect the future of Coloradans and families.
We need to be able to build affordable homes that fit the budget and needs of all of Colorado’s families.
Jonathan Benitz resides in Greeley with their partner and daughter.
