Voters in Larimer County will choose a new county commissioner in the upcoming midterm election on November 3, with housing affordability emerging as a central issue for all three candidates. Democrat Shane Atkinson, Republican Marc Roberson, and Independent Stephen Fowler have each put forth proposals to tackle the challenges of rising housing costs, which are significantly impacting both renters and homeowners across the county. A recent 2025 Regional Housing Needs Assessment revealed that 54% of renters and 24% of homeowners in Larimer County allocate more than 30% of their gross household income to housing expenses.
The issue is particularly acute in Estes Park, where the average home price of $704,088 ranks as the second-highest in Larimer County. Scott Moulton, executive director of the Estes Park Housing Authority, noted that local factors, compounded by high demand in small mountain communities like Estes Park, contribute to the escalating rental and homeownership costs. He explained that the desirability of the area, both for permanent residents and seasonal visitors, tends to drive up prices.
Larimer County commissioners play a crucial role in land use and zoning policies, overseeing land codes, development standards, and identifying allowable uses for land and housing. In a recent development, Larimer County awarded $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Town of Estes Park in March 2024. These funds are designated for preliminary design and public outreach related to the Fish Hatchery housing project. The Town subsequently entered a memorandum of understanding with the Estes Park Housing Authority, designating the authority as the project developer and a subrecipient of the ARPA funds. Moulton described the $2 million for the Fish Hatchery development as "absolutely critical" for the site’s pre-development work, highlighting that significant funding is often required to make housing projects economically feasible at prices the local community can afford, given construction costs that can range from $500,000 to $600,000 per unit.
Democrat Shane Atkinson emphasizes a coordinated regional approach to housing affordability. Drawing from his own experience of purchasing a home in 2009, he believes that individuals serving communities, such as teachers, soldiers, firefighters, and healthcare workers, should not rely on luck to establish roots. Atkinson identified the lack of a unified regional strategy as a primary impediment, noting that communities often address the problem independently. He proposes a voluntary regional housing partnership that would allow the county to leverage resources and funds based on need, set a county-wide baseline goal, and prevent communities from competing for construction contracts. This partnership could also optimize the application of Proposition 123 funds, which are allocated for affordable housing development. Additionally, Atkinson suggests standardizing and reviewing building and permitting fees across jurisdictions to reduce costs and incentivize builders to construct smaller, starter homes, since current fees often remain constant regardless of a home's selling price.
Republican Marc Roberson prioritizes housing zoning, property tax relief, and alternative construction methods. He advocates for increasing the supply of affordable housing by rezoning parts of the county for new developments, including multifamily housing, townhomes, and starter homes. Roberson also proposes incorporating non-traditional housing options, such as prefab and modular homes, which are partially built in factories before on-site assembly. He suggested potential savings if multiple units were developed simultaneously. The Estes Park Housing Authority remains open to all construction forms, including modular building types, contingent on economic feasibility. Furthermore, Roberson aims to address housing costs for seniors on fixed incomes by proposing property tax reform, focusing on lowering taxes for seniors and low-income residents. He seeks to make processes more efficient by building more multifamily townhomes, condos, or single-family homes to help individuals build wealth through homeownership.
Independent Stephen Fowler focuses on a local approach, acknowledging that many factors contributing to housing affordability issues, such as a shortage of affordable housing and builders responding to market prices, are not unique to Larimer County. He expressed his intent to delve deeper into these issues if elected. Fowler plans to meet directly with community members in places like Estes Park to identify specific housing barriers and address them locally, potentially through easing zoning restrictions or adjusting permit and development fees. While recognizing the challenges faced by elderly citizens on fixed incomes due to rising market prices, Fowler admitted there is "no easy solution." He seeks to understand community pressure points and concerns to determine how commissioners can assist, emphasizing the need for research into solutions specific to Larimer County and the creation of a development agenda for affordable housing. Fowler noted the difficulty for two wage earners to afford housing, stressing the need to thoroughly understand the issue for the county and its communities.
