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Arvada agrees to participate in DRCOG regional housing needs assessment; one council member objects to regional methodology
Summary
Council voted 4–1 to authorize Arvada’s participation in the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) regional housing needs assessment for compliance with state law; one member objected to DRCOG’s regionalized methodology and data vintage.
The Arvada City Council on Sept. 2 approved R25-072, authorizing the city to participate in the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ regional housing needs assessment (RHNA) for compliance with Senate Bill 24-174. The vote was 4–1, with Council Member Marriott dissenting; Council Members Pfeiffer and Ambrose were excused.
Background: staff explained that the Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance Act (SB 24-174) requires local governments to complete housing needs assessments that conform to Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) methodology by Dec. 31, 2026. DRCOG submitted a regional assessment in December 2024 and DOLA approved it for use by jurisdictions in the DRCOG region. Arvada previously completed a local housing needs assessment and would need to amend limited sections to satisfy the state guidance; participating in DRCOG’s regional assessment would avoid duplicative work and allow Arvada to use the regional dataset for its required Housing Action Plan.
Council debate: supporters said participation would save staff time and expense and that the city can supplement regional data with local analysis where necessary. Council Member Davis described the DRCOG numbers as an estimate and said the city would still rely on Arvada-specific data when developing the Housing Action Plan. Council Member Mariani and Council Member Marriott voiced stronger objections: Marriott said the DRCOG assessment uses large subregions that mask important differences among neighboring cities and relies on 2022 data that he considers outdated. Mariani argued the regional methodology could produce conclusions that do not reflect Arvada’s distinct neighborhood patterns and warned against accepting data that may be “inaccurate.”
Outcome and next steps: staff said the city would continue to rely on Arvada-specific data for the Housing Action Plan and that participation in the DRCOG assessment would satisfy the state’s statutory requirement while preserving the city’s ability to contest or supplement specific data points. The resolution passed 4–1; staff will transmit comments collected during the council study session to DRCOG during the public-comment period and proceed with steps needed to use the regional assessment for state compliance if approved.
