House passes bill to streamline small‑lot splits in some jurisdictions amid sharp local‑control debate

The Colorado House on March 23 passed House Bill 13‑08, which creates a state‑level administrative pathway for dividing existing residential lots into additional buildable lots in targeted jurisdictions (those with population over 1,000 inside a metropolitan planning organization), effective December 31, 2027.

Sponsor remarks emphasized housing supply and starter homes. “This bill offers a modest but important step forward that we can use to help address our housing crisis here in Colorado,” Speaker pro tem Basenecker said, arguing the change would allow smaller detached starter homes and complement recent accessory dwelling unit legislation.

Opponents described the measure as an intrusion on local zoning and planning. Representative DeGraaf called the proposal a “violation” of local contracts and warned about emergency egress and infrastructure capacity, arguing the bill could outpace roads, water, sewer and fire‑safety planning. Representative Bradley and others asked for specific safeguards for evacuation routes and adequate roads; several safety and timing amendments were offered and defeated on the floor.

Debate included technical amendments on public hearings and the relationship to local life‑safety codes; sponsors noted counties are exempt from the bill and that subject jurisdictions may still enforce building, fire, utility and stormwater codes.

After extended debate spanning questions of local control, infrastructure, and housing supply, the measure passed as amended and will take effect at the end of 2027, with sponsors urging that the rule set be targeted to subject jurisdictions and accompanied by implementation guidance.

Next steps: The bill’s provisions will be implemented by affected jurisdictions and the General Assembly indicated follow‑up oversight and clarifying guidance may be pursued in subsequent sessions.