With rising prices at the grocery store and the gas station, the term “affordability” seems to be everywhere. But for many in our community, affordability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a daily challenge. And at the center of that challenge is housing.
This week, the Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County presented the La Plata County Housing Needs Assessment. This document, prepared to meet the requirements of Colorado’s Senate Bill 24-174, the Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance Act, will serve as a foundation for future housing planning, strategy and action. The findings were clear: La Plata County’s economic growth is outpacing its housing supply. To meet current demand, the county – along with Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio – needs 264 additional homes just to catch up. To keep up with expected growth over the next decade, we will need another 2,954 units. In total, our community will require 3,218 new units.
By the end of 2026, La Plata County will pair this assessment with two new components of our comprehensive plan: a strategic growth element and a water supply element. These are designed to identify intentional growth hubs, encourage development on underutilized infill parcels, protect natural and agricultural lands, and ensure our infrastructure remains sustainable. Together, they form the backbone of our housing strategy and eventual Housing Action Plan, which the public can comment on when drafted.
While many requirements from the state fall into the category of long-term planning, we also recognize the need to act now. Rising material and transportation costs continue to put pressure on housing production, and while many factors influencing supply are beyond local government control, our regulatory environment is not. To that end, the county has built upon a required planning document to better understand where our code and development processes can improve. After thorough analysis, the Community Development department and the board of county commissioners have identified the most impactful opportunities for regulatory and procedural updates.
Key code amendments aimed at reducing barriers to housing include:
Aligning our land-use code with community housing goals is one of the most direct and meaningful steps we can take. Consideration – and potential adoption – of these improvements begins as early as Tuesday, May 19.
Since the pandemic, La Plata County has experienced sharp increases in both rents and home prices, with no signs of demand diminishing. This reality underscores the importance of moving forward with housing reforms that support attainable, sustainable growth for the people who live and work here.
The housing challenges facing La Plata County are significant, but they are not insurmountable. The data show that demand is outpacing supply, and our community cannot afford to wait for conditions to improve on their own.
By aligning long-term planning with immediate regulatory improvements, we are taking meaningful steps to support attainable housing, guide intentional growth and preserve the character of the region we all value.
With clear direction and a Housing Action Plan as our guide, as well as continued investments in housing partnerships with the RHA and other groups, the county is positioned to create a more affordable, sustainable future for everyone.
The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners are Matt Salka, chair; Elizabeth Philbrick, vice chair; and Marsha Porter-Norton, commissioner. Reach them at 382-6219.