Arapahoe County planners begin rezoning push to meet state 'transit oriented communities' mandate

A study session of the Arapahoe County Planning Commission on Aug. 18, 2026 centered on a staff-led effort to rezone land around light-rail stations and high-frequency bus lines to meet a state-required housing opportunity goal.

Jason, the county presenter, said the legislature relied on local housing data to justify the mandate, noting that "55% of folks who are renting in unincorporated Arapahoe County in 2022 were housing burdened." He told commissioners the state law requires jurisdictions to establish transit centers, rezone nearby parcels to allow higher densities and adopt administrative review for small parcels under five acres.

The proposal does not force buildings to be developed; it establishes zoning capacity, staff said. "Zoning provides the possibility for housing, not necessarily building at that density," Jason said. Planning staff explained the new district types already in the code—residential multifamily and mixed use—are the tools the county will use to satisfy the state calculation.

Commissioners asked for clarification on funding and enforcement. Jason said executive orders and state guidance can affect eligibility for certain funding sources if jurisdictions fail to meet the state goal and that staff will provide the executive order citations as part of future materials.

Next steps include continued stakeholder outreach, technical referrals to water and sanitation districts, a traffic study where needed, a Planning Commission public hearing scheduled for Oct. 20 and final Board of County Commissioners consideration on Nov. 24, with a DOLA filing deadline at year-end.