Council hears state land‑use and housing law update; staff to pursue DRCOG housing assessment compliance

City of Englewood community development staff gave the council a broad update Monday on recent state land‑use and housing laws and executive orders that tie certain state grant funding to municipal compliance.

Brian Isom, planning manager, and Brad Power, community development director, described eight measures adopted in the 2024–2025 legislative sessions that require local code changes, reporting or housing planning. They also described two governor executive orders (May 16 and Aug. 13) that prioritize some grant programs for cities that comply with the laws. City Attorney Tamara Niles told council a lawsuit has been filed by several municipalities challenging the governor's earlier order; she said the case is pending and the lead counsel was not seeking additional plaintiffs at this time.

Staff asked council whether Englewood should pursue compliance with all, some or none of the state laws; Isom said the city risks lower priority for state grants if it is noncompliant. Power outlined three laws staff planned to focus on immediately: the sustainable affordable housing assistance law requiring a local housing needs assessment and…