In this latest Colorado Conversations town hall, Proponents and critics of a legislative proposal aimed at spurring more construction of affordable condos clashed on March 28, 2024.

Colorado Politics Staff

Proponents and critics clashed over a proposal that sponsors argue would spur more construction of affordable condos during a town hall on Wednesday.

Proponents said Senate Bill 106, which won a 4-3 vote from the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee, would help the construction industry with what developers and others believe is the most significant barrier to building condos – the insurance cost for dealing with “construction defects.” 

Critics, meanwhile, insist it’s the wrong prescription to meet the state’s overarching goal of increasing the inventory of affordable housing. 

The Colorado Conversations panelists included Jeff Nehls, an economist and Jennifer Seidman, a legal advocate with Build Our Homes Right. Both Nehls and Seidman oppose the legislation. 

Peter F. LiFari, CEO of Maiker Housing Partners and a Common Sense Institute fellow and Scott Wilkinson, a legal advocate with Homeownership Opportunity Alliance, also joined the panel. They support the legislation.

Finally, Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, one of the authors of Senate Bill 106, also joined the virtual townhall.