[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6632994,"mediaKeyId","2666396-95eb218a94516ebacd7349e58cb97f84","parentId",2666396,"title","Wheat Ridge staff advise code changes to comply with new state land-use bills on occupancy, parking and ADUs","audioSeconds",5475,"startMs",4555000,"endMs",10030000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666396-95eb218a94516ebacd7349e58cb97f84&start=4555&end=10030","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666396-95eb218a94516ebacd7349e58cb97f84/thumbnail_4555000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632994/Wheat-Ridge-City/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Wheat-Ridge-staff-advise-code-changes-to-comply-with-new-state-land-use-bills-on-occupancy-parking-and-ADUs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632994-0d4061e8708f37bd1a2d52f4f188b289/orig.mp4?Expires=1770479944&Signature=QddzdrPm1ctZ8W768KkX2m7It2Xd7MOVflj4lAlSbdrpalRSFJSBwDLm4i5v6iA83twwIx54vJsGKkyAnf86-SUUcGTZ1RK95JPkjDA1u1XvD3jPZ1Q~M5if1XRjCox3-YNFuCZS-UNwdZ~iQRufeuM5zpo1MfQcjGwuJ3Tgri44Mmwv5apnq9BFWAncR7uMPtwEpL1JVjksYnFZ5a~pgt00VLIfih5i-F8gbIeMf0RTQKf7AmOAUsKepSddZuZGxDFppRfEejuSenrNzYIR3MqMuQdPV-EYI2MY8XMVqRt0ADPuHiJYC1n8odLqk3-xLlhtck8j-1vQs6U8OdB7sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wheat Ridge City, CO","date","2025-03-18T03:32:22.387Z","article","Wheat Ridge staff told the city council on March 17 that several 2024–2025 state land-use bills require the city to change local code language for residential occupancy, multiunit parking and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

City Manager staff and City Attorney Scott (presenting) said the state bills are designated “mixed concern,” which allows local rules to remain so long as they do not prohibit activities the state now requires. \"We will need to modify the definition of family, congregate care home, and our occupancy limit section to remove that numerical limit and rely instead on building code standards and health and safety standards,\" Scott said, describing compliance work on the occupancy bill.

Residential occupancy limits: Staff said the bill that restricts municipal limits on household composition took effect in July 2024 and the city already amended its charter (Ballot measure 2B approved by Wheat Ridge voters in November 2024) to remove family-number limits. The Zoning Code still contains legacy family-based occupancy language and staff recommended replacing those provisions with household and building-safety standards—square-foot-per-person, exit windows and fire-code requirements—rather than a numerical cap tied to familial relationships. Council signaled consensus to proceed.

Minimum parking for multiunit residential: Staff said a House bill prohibits municipal minimum off-street parking requirements for new multiunit residential developments located in a state-defined transit service area (areas within a quarter mile of frequent bus or rail service). The staff analysis showed the transit-service-area map covers most Wheat Ridge parcels that allow multiunit housing. Staff recommended complying by removing minimum parking requirements for apartment and typical multifamily buildings while retaining parking standards for townhomes (which are fee-simple, single-unit attached residences). Staff also proposed changing the city’s EV-charging requirement so it is based on the number of parking spaces actually provided rather than a code-based minimum (because the minimum could become zero). Council agreed with staff’s recommended approach and asked staff to return code language for adoption.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Staff said House Bill 20‑4‑1152 requires municipalities to allow ADUs by administrative approval and sets a minimum ADU size range intended to ensure a one-bedroom layout is feasible (500–750 square feet). Wheat Ridge’s current ADU rules tie ADU size to the primary dwelling (50% of house size up to 4,000 sq ft); staff recommended changing the zoning code to guarantee the 500–750 sq ft range where necessary while still allowing smaller or larger units when other code standards are met. The bill also restricts post-permit deed restrictions on owner-occupancy; staff recommended retaining owner-occupancy limits only for ADUs that will be short-term rentals and otherwise removing deed-restriction requirements that are difficult to enforce after sale. Council gave consensus to remove the blanket owner-occupancy deed-restriction approach and to pursue compliance.

Staff said some state guidance and implementation timelines remain forthcoming—transit-oriented community guidance in particular—and recommended bringing formal code amendments to council for adoption later this year. The city will also be required to report compliance to the state by the dates specified in the new laws.

Ending: Council members asked staff to return specific draft code language and to consider complementary city steps such as parking-maximum discussions, incentives for EV infrastructure and exploring ADU-supportive incentives to qualify for potential state funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wheat Ridge City Council Study Session 3-17-25","oneSentenceSummary","City staff briefed council on three state land-use bills that require changes to Wheat Ridge zoning and permitting: residential-occupancy limits, removal of minimum parking for multiunit housing near transit, and ADU rules including size and owner-occupancy provisions.","taxTitle","Wheat Ridge City, Jefferson County, Colorado","taxId",52815,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632999,"Wheat Ridge lawmakers warn of tight state budget, outline local bill priorities",2568,108000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666396-95eb218a94516ebacd7349e58cb97f84&start=108&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666396-95eb218a94516ebacd7349e58cb97f84/thumbnail_108000.jpg","/articles/6632999/Wheat-Ridge-City/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Wheat-Ridge-lawmakers-warn-of-tight-state-budget-outline-local-bill-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632999-daa3bd230aa68b5f619b98c7fe54ecc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770479944&Signature=leysXpWXj~S5lZyTAMUxnxvzUxWAJOo~qs7WDWi324j4fu3fU1WP9fqOzKoFLGdV~BwitYffHdfmAypzhpA9Y-oVn1e~4qg0JxLjkFdvVrtp8xkRL8FtttZAJTpMDMt454SkbNRiF2v3eyoDFHkEoRhVD~rv8~3dnmE9E4RX0k-c1N7m2Wwzp2YMoQfORp72iwrWY6hBBN-6YmCguH-izqHZztElu~6wzq06ZIwTOkkANSoUkcob2ioA8cxfaDS6hweV9Cz2g1vb-vo8jIzTwzq0mgwDH26JdkHqSIfqd5zGZYNO1oM7TqNS-AamMw64LO2i~~uVRnUUPC95u1HL8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Majority Leader Monica Duran and state Senator Danielson told Wheat Ridge City Council members on March 17 that Colorado is facing a difficult budget session and urged local officials to alert them to bills that affect the city.

The city convened a legislative forum during its study session to introduce the new Wheat Ridge legislative committee and to hear directly from Duran and Senator Danielson about key bills and budget pressures. Council created the committee to review legislation, recommend advocacy positions and authorize staff lobbying; Cole Haslip is the city staff liaison, Councilor Holten is chair and Councilor Larson vice chair of the committee.

Duran said the state has a significant revenue shortfall and that legislators are trying to reduce the fiscal impact of bills. \"We have really stressed to every legislator to make sure that their bills have a 0 impact, a fiscal impact, where we can because we just don't know what to anticipate,\" Majority Leader Monica Duran said. She told council members the state forecast released that day looked weak and that both the legislature and the governor will face \"some really hard decisions\" on funding for services.

Senator Danielson said his priorities include worker protections and bills to aid Native communities and public safety. \"What we wanna do is really simple. We wanna take away the second election,\" Danielson said, describing Senate Bill 5, the Worker Protection Act, which he said would remove a second-election requirement that currently makes union authorization harder. He described that measure as a priority for the senate and noted broad community support.

Council members described the city's new legislative agenda and committee work. Councilor Holten said the committee will bring proposed advocacy resolutions to the full council; Holten said the first two resolutions will be presented at the next council meeting in support of construction-defect and middle-market housing legislation and in opposition to another bill they judged to limit local election control.

Council and the majority leader discussed specific bills raised during the forum. Duran said the city had signaled support for \"HB 25 12 72\" (construction defects/middle-market housing) and opposition to \"SB 25 0 0 1\" because of local election control concerns. Duran encouraged council members and the legislative committee to testify at committee hearings and to contact her office with local perspectives.

Heather Stauffer, principal advocate for the Colorado Municipal League (CML), briefed the council on several bills the league is tracking, including state budget items and bill changes affecting municipalities. Stauffer said the state's new revenue forecast prompted large proposed cuts and that municipalities should watch for state actions that could shift costs to local governments.

The legislators and CML also discussed other measures mentioned by the lawmakers, including wage-theft reform work, bills addressing school finance and health care, the Indian Child Welfare Act discussions, and proposals on gun-safety measures. Senator Danielson described other priorities such as bills to recognize tribal court orders and a proposal to classify bison as wildlife, and he said supporters plan to pursue a ballot referral on a child-sexual-abuse accountability measure if the legislature does not act.

The council thanked Duran and Danielson for meeting with Wheat Ridge officials and invited ongoing contact between the city's legislative committee and state lawmakers.

Ending: The forum concluded with council members asking the legislators to be notified in advance when the city takes positions so they can weigh those positions on the floor and in committee hearings. Duran and Danielson both encouraged Wheat Ridge officials and residents to testify at hearings and to stay in contact with their offices.","State Majority Leader Monica Duran and Senator Danielson met with Wheat Ridge City Council to discuss the state budget shortfall, bills affecting housing and workers, and the new city legislative committee's priorities.","actionData","errors"]

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Wheat Ridge staff advise code changes to comply with new state land-use bills on occupancy, parking and ADUs

Wheat Ridge lawmakers warn of tight state budget, outline local bill priorities