3-2-1 Capitol Connection – March 31, 2026

3 Things to Know

Governor Signs Key Housing Measures into Law. Last week, two key housing measures CAR took a support position on were officially signed into law at the Governor’s office, marking another step forward in expanding Colorado’s housing toolkit. Members of the REALTOR® family were represented at the signing with DMAR President Lisa Nguyen and SMDRA President Shelby Foster in attendance.

“Workforce Housing & Housing Tax Credit” (Senate Bill 001) broadens the ways local governments can support housing development by allowing counties to direct certain existing revenues toward housing initiatives and by expanding access to the middle-income housing tax credit, making it easier for additional investors to participate in qualifying projects. Alongside it, “Housing Developments on Qualifying Properties” (House Bill 1001) creates a more predictable pathway for residential development on qualifying properties that would otherwise be underutilized and underdeveloped by allowing projects to move forward through an administrative process, while still preserving local authority to apply critical health, safety, and infrastructure standards.

Finding the golden key to resolve Colorado’s housing shortage will always prove to be difficult, but together, these measures reflect meaningful progress toward increasing the state’s housing supply.

Mid-Session Update. With the legislative session now just past its midpoint, activity under the Gold Dome remains steady—and far from over. To date, CAR’s Government Affairs team has actively tracked and engaged in negotiations on 67 bills, ensuring REALTOR® voices are represented on issues impacting the industry. Additional proposals are still expected, as legislators have until May 10 to introduce new bills, and any measure requires at least three days to move through the process.

In the weeks ahead, attention will increasingly shift to the state budget—commonly referred to as the “Long Bill.” This is the legislature’s annual appropriations bill, which determines how state funds are allocated across agencies and programs. This year’s budget conversations come with significant challenges. Following last year’s roughly $1 billion shortfall, current projections estimate a deficit between $1.1 and $1.5 billion, leaving little room for new spending initiatives. As a result, lawmakers will be tasked with making difficult but necessary decisions to balance the budget, which will likely shape the trajectory of legislation for the remainder of the session.

Tenant-Landlord Bill Postponed Indefinitely. After continued discussion and stakeholder engagement, sponsors of “Evictions Protections for Tenants” (House Bill 1106) ultimately chose to postpone the bill indefinitely, halting its progress for this session. While REALTORS® had maintained opposition to the measure, the dialogue throughout the process proved meaningful—culminating in sponsors publicly recognizing the association’s direct engagement and clear, solutions-focused input on the realities of the tenant-landlord landscape.

Though the bill will not move forward this year, the conversation around these issues is far from over. Should similar legislation reemerge in the 2027 session, REALTORS® stand ready to come to the table—continuing to advocate for balanced, workable policies that support both housing providers and tenants.

2 Things to Share

Private Clubs Under Scrutiny. CAR successfully defeated “Private Membership Club Covenants” (House Bill 1316) because it would have interfered in residential covenants that home buyers rely on, including for membership in a private club such as a golf, tennis, or equestrian club, as examples. While private membership models are not currently widespread, the bill would have effectively eliminated it as an option for future developments. CAR noted that consumers already have transparency and choice under current practice, as required memberships are disclosed during the transaction process. CAR also raised concerns that removing this model limits development flexibility, as private clubs can provide enhanced amenities, professional management separate from HOAs, and reduced liability exposure for associations.

CAR further expressed concern about provisions requiring public disclosure of detailed financial information, which could create privacy issues and uncertainty around property values, particularly if individual owners and their fees are publicly listed. Additionally, provisions that could render covenants unenforceable or trigger penalties for noncompliance may complicate real estate transactions and disrupt existing communities. These risks could negatively impact property values, especially in neighborhoods tied to key amenities like golf courses, where operational stability and maintenance are critical.

Conservation Easements Should Be Compensated. CAR supports “Extend Conservation Easement Tax Credit” (House Bill 26-1230), which extends the conservation easement state income tax credit for five years beginning in tax year 2032. Under current law, the credit is set to expire after tax year 2031, and this bill ensures its continued availability for Colorado landowners who choose to preserve their land through conservation easements.

We support this extension because it maintains an important incentive for land conservation while ensuring landowners receive fair compensation through tax credits when they restrict development on their property. By continuing this program, the bill helps protect open space, supports long-term land stewardship, and provides certainty for landowners making decisions about the future use of their property. The bill is scheduled for its first committee hearing this week.

1 Thing to Do

Apply for the 2027 CAR Legislative Policy Committee (LPC). The positions on legislation that you see in the Capitol Connection newsletter is decided by REALTOR® members who take their passion and ethics-based concern for homeownership to the next level. Currently, the CAR LPC is composed of over 40 members from over 20 different local associations. Bring your expertise and perspective to a committee that positively impacts the viability of the Colorado real estate market for you and your clients. Click here to apply today or by June 24th.

NAR

VA Home Loan Program Under the Microscope

Testifying on behalf of the National Association of REALTORS®, Kurt Thompson, broker-owner of RE/MAX Liberty in Westminster, Mass., drew on both professional and personal experience. Thompson, a veteran of the Army Reserve and New Hampshire’s Air National Guard, credited the VA loan program with helping him achieve homeownership.

AI Listed This Miami Home, But an Agent Closed the Deal

Despite choosing not to hire a listing agent, the seller still needed help navigating contracts, disclosures and next steps. When Solomonoviz and her client were ready to make an offer on the home, she sent over the standard Florida real estate contract, to which the seller responded saying he needed to go over it with his lawyer.