MIND THE GAP REPORT: EVALUATING WORKFORCE HOUSING IN COLORADO REGION 10

In the spring of 2022, the Region 10 League for Economic Assistance and Planning (Region 10), a 501C3 non-profit that local and county governments support, received grant funding to conduct a regional housing "meta-analysis" across the six counties it serves on Colorado's Western Slope (Figure 1-1). 

While several counties and municipalities in the region have conducted independent Housing Needs Assessments (HNAs) in recent years, this report is unique in its attempt to synthesize workforce housing needs at the regional level, identifying financial strategies to reduce the capital gap necessary for rural development. 

Furthermore, recognizing Region 10's role as a resource and an advisory body for local economic development, the scope of this report is focused on workforce housing needs and solutions to support local employers and employees. The HNAs which have emerged from Region 10 communities and counties in recent years provide evidence of a widespread deficit of affordable workforce housing. This report sought to evaluate present and future county-level housing needs and strategies in the context of a highly regionalized workforce. 

The findings and recommendations herein will help serve communities in Region 10 by better understanding the scale of housing needs and identifying opportunities to support a vibrant and diverse workforce through regional collaboration and housing development partnerships. 

On December 8, 2022, Region 10 presented its workforce housing study and results to the Board of Directors. Read the full report.