Coloradans wrestling with housing costs received some hopeful news yesterday as Governor Jared Polis put the final stamp on a law designed to make living spaces more affordable by shaking up building codes. According to Senate Democrats, the new legislation will allow certain multi-family buildings to require just one stairway, potentially decreasing construction costs and addressing the state's housing crunch.
Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker elaborated on the decision, "This smart stair policy is safe and will help us create more housing Coloradans can afford," as per Senate Democrats. He noted advancements in firefighting technologies and protection techniques as key factors in the update. The amended codes aim to reduce building expenses, particularly for "family-sized apartments and condos," which bolsters the options for Colorado's varied housing demands. These regulations are due to take effect starting December 1, 2027, targeting municipalities with 100,000 or more residents that operate under an accredited fire authority.
The criteria to qualify for the single-stairway model are specific, catering to buildings no taller than five stories with a maximum of four units on each floor. These buildings must also be decked out with safety features, such as automatic sprinkler systems and controlled measures for fire resistance and smoke. Additionally, the architecture must provide easy aerial access for fire departments and be constructed from non-combustible or fire-resistant materials. The Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association is tapped to consult on the strategy and will contribute to data collection and reporting efforts on these new building prototypes.
Backers of this policy suggest the single staircase approach is not a gamble with safety. Citing a 2025 Pew Study, Senate Democrats confirmed that no significant safety risks were reported in various cities like New York and Seattle, or even abroad in places like the Netherlands, where similar housing models are already in place. Moreover, it's argued that such streamlining can lead to sizeable construction savings, anywhere from 6 to 13 percent. Extra perks include the potential slash in cooling costs by up to a whopping 80 percent, a nod to the incorporation of design elements promoting better window placement for cross-ventilation.
The political signal is clear: Colorado Democrats are forging ahead with approaches intended to cut costs and expand housing access. Rep. Steven Woodrow articulated the party's commitment to affordable housing, "This law eliminates second stairwell requirements for certain buildings to drive down building costs and create more livable space," as obtained by Senate Democrats.
