3-2-1 Capitol Connection – February 3, 2026
3 Things to Know
2026 REALTOR® Day Under the Dome. The Capitol is filled with REALTOR® energy this week as nearly 100 members come together to engage directly with Colorado’s General Assembly. Throughout the day, members will work to help lawmakers understand how policies – such as those around vacancy taxes and artificial intelligence – affect workplace safety, housing, property rights, and communities across Colorado. The conversations are thoughtful and productive, strengthening relationships and reinforcing the value of real-world expertise in the policymaking process. Events like REALTOR® Day Under the Dome are essential to strong advocacy, ensuring REALTORS® have a trusted seat at the table and influential voice where it matters most.
RPAC Major Investors Shape the Political Future of the Real Estate Industry. REALTOR® advocacy is only made possible by members, especially those at the vanguard of defending homeownership: RPAC Major Investors. This elite group of advocates invest in their industry and the clients they represent at $1,000 and above. Pledge to support a healthy housing market for all today by clicking here or scanning the QR code.
The earlier you start, the more impact you have on supporting favorable regulatory conditions that impact not just your bottom line, but those of your clients!
Federal Legislation Impacts Real Estate. Your association membership advocates on all three levels of government to ensure you can stay in business. At the federal level, the National Association of REALTORS® screens and appoints 535 members, known as Federal Political Coordinators (FPCs), to advocate directly with members of Congress. This year, FPCs are urging support for a bipartisan package of housing bills that would modernize outdated housing programs, streamline permitting and reduce regulatory barriers, and expand infrastructure investment to unlock new development. Other key legislation FPCs are strongly urging Congress to pass include an incentive for more long-term homeowners to sell and allowing first-time buyers to withdraw from their IRAs, penalty-free, for down payments.
2 Things to Share
Vacancy Tax Bill is Coming. CAR strongly opposes “Local Taxes on Vacant Residential Property” (House Bill 1036), which would give local governments broad authority to impose new taxes on so-called “vacant” homes that are layered on top of property taxes. The bill lets each community create its own definition of “vacant” by unit type, bedroom count, or square footage — inviting a confusing patchwork of rules and unpredictable tax burdens. With no exemptions, homes listed for sale or temporarily unoccupied rental units could be taxed, and newly created housing authorities would add yet another layer of burdensome taxes on home sellers and buyers on a budget. The House Finance Committee has moved the public hearing to Monday, February 9th, at 1:30 PM (Room 0112). You may testify in person or via Zoom on your own behalf. Please direct any questions to govaffairs@coloradorealtors.com.
Expanding Use of Taxes & Credits. CAR is proud to support “Workforce Housing & Housing Tax Credit” (Senate Bill 1), a bill that gives counties more flexibility to tackle housing challenges by allowing them to use existing property tax revenue to fund workforce and affordable housing. It also expands Colorado’s middle-income housing tax credit by authorizing more types of taxpayers to claim credits even if they do not own an interest in a development, helping to spur more investment in housing projects. By encouraging new housing production and broadening financing tools, this approach supports healthier inventory levels and more balanced markets that benefit both property owners and prospective buyers.
1 Thing to Do
Talk to Your State Political Coordinator. Take a moment to connect with the State Political Coordinator (SPC) at your local association and learn more about their experience in the role! Below is a message from Cooper Thayer, an SPC from the Denver Metro Association of REALTORS®:
“Spending the day at the Capitol as an SPC was such a meaningful experience. It gave me the opportunity to show my legislator how this session’s legislation translates into-real world impacts in our daily work as REALTORS®. Our conversations aren’t just about bills — they are about the people and communities we serve every day. Moments like this reinforce that advocacy isn’t abstract; it’s relationship-driven, and it truly makes a difference when we show up.”
NAR
Advocacy Scoop: Consumers Say Yes to Policies That Ease Home Buying
Most Americans want to own a home. Unfortunately, a majority of non-owners don’t see a path to that dream, according to an exclusive new consumer poll that provides key data in support of the National Association of REALTORS®’ advocacy priorities.
Which Policies Will Drive Home Sales?
At its annual Policy Forum, National Association of REALTORS® members engaged in dialogue with policymakers on solutions to expand housing affordability and support the dreams of would-be home buyers and sellers.