Committee Passes Gonzales, Exum Bill to House More Coloradans, Remove Unnecessary Occupancy Limits

Legislation aims to increase housing options & affordability

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate Local Government & Housing Committee approved legislation to prohibit local governments from implementing or enforcing residential occupancy limits except for health and safety reasons.

HB24-1007, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, would prohibit local governments from limiting the number of people who can live together with two exceptions. Limits would be permitted based on affordable housing program guidelines or demonstrated health and safety standards, such as fire code regulations, wastewater and water quality standards, or international building code standards.

“Ending discriminatory occupancy limits is a great way to break down housing barriers and create a more equitable market,” said Gonzales. “These limits disproportionately affect historically marginalized communities that may have diverse family structures. It’s time we lift outdated occupancy limits and give Coloradans a wider range of housing options.”

“Strict occupancy limits can reduce housing options and push folks out of their communities,” said Exum. “Prohibiting occupancy limits would give residents the freedom to choose their living situations and who they live with. With this bill, we can allow families to live in a structure that’s best for them – without the interference of occupancy limits.”

Occupancy limits often cap the number of people that can live in a residence based on family status, even if the residence has more bedrooms than the occupancy limit. In 2023, over 14,000 Coloradans experienced homelessness. More than 50 percent of renters in the Denver Metro Area, as well as counties like Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, Pueblo, Summit, Eagle, and Mesa, are cost burdened.

In 2021, Denver City Council passed a measure to increase their occupancy limit standards from two to five unrelated people, and last year, Boulder City Council voted to increase their occupancy limit to five unrelated people.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor. Follow its progress HERE.