DENVER, CO, September 16, 2026 -- Denver real estate and construction law firm Volpe Law LLC encourages Colorado property developers, investors, and construction companies to take note of a sweeping new land use law that will reshape where and how residential housing gets built. The legislation represents one of the most significant changes to Colorado's zoning framework in years.
Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 26-1001 into law on March 25, 2026. Also known as the Housing Opportunities Made Easier (HOME) Act, its key provisions take effect on December 31, 2027.
The HOME Act addresses Colorado's housing shortage by changing how certain residential projects get approved. Under current rules, local zoning regulations and lengthy approval processes have slowed development in communities that need it most. The new law requires local governments with populations exceeding 2,000 to allow residential development on "qualifying properties" through a streamlined administrative approval process.
To qualify, a property must be five acres or less and owned by a "qualifying entity," which is a category that includes school districts, state colleges and universities, housing authorities, transit districts, and nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing.
Once a property qualifies, the law limits how local governments can regulate what gets built on it. Subject jurisdictions cannot block construction based on height if the tallest structure is three stories or less, cannot reject a project based on dwelling unit count, and cannot apply site design standards more restrictive than those applied to similar housing already built within the jurisdiction.
However, the law does not override all local authority. Parcels in floodways, airport influence areas, conservation easements, agricultural zones, and industrial zones are exempt, and local governments retain the power to enforce building codes, fire safety standards, infrastructure requirements, and inclusionary zoning ordinances.
"This law is going to create real development opportunities across the state, but it raises new questions for everyone involved in a project," said Ben Volpe, founding attorney at Volpe Law LLC. "Developers need to understand which properties qualify and what standards apply. Qualifying entities that own underutilized land need to evaluate whether residential development aligns with their goals. And construction companies bidding on these projects need contracts that reflect the new regulatory requirements."
Jurisdictions that are actively updating their zoning or development codes to comply with the law by the December 31, 2027 deadline will have until June 30, 2028 to complete those updates.
Developers, property owners, and construction companies with questions about how the HOME Act affects their projects can contact Volpe Law for a complimentary discovery call.
About the Firm:
Volpe Law LLC is a Colorado litigation firm built for business owners, developers, contractors, investors, and property owners facing high-stakes disputes. The firm's practice spans construction litigation, real estate law, commercial disputes, breach of contract claims, and mechanic's lien actions, along with fractional outside general counsel services for companies that need ongoing legal strategy. Founder Ben Volpe has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Colorado each year from 2023 through 2025, a distinction limited to the top 2.5% of attorneys in the state. The firm represents clients in all Colorado state district courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.