Pueblo County moves up effective date for expedited affordable‑housing review to qualify for state incentives

The Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners voted Sept. 11 to declare that section 17.06.110b of the Pueblo County Unified Development Code — the county’s expedited review process for affordable housing tied to Proposition 123 — will take effect this year to comply with state requirements and make the county eligible for early‑adoption incentive funding.

Carmen Howard, a department staff member, told commissioners the change is needed because the county intends to apply for grant funding and must adjust the effective date to be eligible. "As part of our expedited review processes and such, the department is going to be applying for some grant funding, and in order to, comply with, state requirements, we need to, expedite the, date," Howard said.

Commissioners asked how the change would be noticed to the public and whether timelines for updating the Unified Development Code would be met. Howard said a text amendment will go to the planning commission next month and that the schedule for qualifications and the UDC update is on track. A commissioner pressed for public‑notice obligations; Howard responded that timelines are being followed.

The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution. The staff said the effective date would be changed to October of this year so the county can seek incentive funds; no dollar amounts specific to the county were discussed at the meeting.

The county will bring the text amendment to the planning commission next month and return to the BOCC for formal adoption, according to staff.