1

Transit-Oriented Communities

Legislation (HB 24-1313) implementation work is ongoing. Please check back regularly for updates.

Subject Jurisdictions (“Transit-Oriented Communities”)

Subject jurisdictions include those within metropolitan planning organizations that are:

  • Municipalities with more than 4,000 residents and more than 75 acres of Transit Areas
  • Counties with more than 4,000 residents and more than 75 acres of Transit Areas
    • Unincorporated areas (a) within ½ mile of light rail or commuter rail stations and (b) within ¼ mile of transit corridors and surrounded by municipalities

Local governments that are not subject jurisdictions can opt in by designating Neighborhood Centers to be eligible for the TOC infrastructure grant program.

Components

Under this law, transit oriented communities must: 

  • Calculate their Housing Opportunity Goal, and designated sufficient qualifying Transit Centers to meet their Housing Opportunity Goal. 
  • Submit preliminary reports by June 30, 2025 and final reports by December 31, 2026 (along with ongoing 3-year status reports) showing the Housing Opportunity Goal, data/methods/maps used, locally-designated Transit Centers and Neighborhood Centers, adopted affordability strategies, displacement mitigation strategies, implementation plans (and water supply insufficiency analysis, if applicable).

  • DOLA will certify Transit Oriented Communities that meet the requirements of the Housing Opportunity Goal report as directed in statute.
  • Certified transit oriented communities are eligible for an Infrastructure Grant Program.
  • Non-subject jurisdictions can opt in by designating Neighborhood Centers.

  • DOLA published Transit Area and walkshed maps in September of 2024 for Transit-Oriented Communities to use in calculating their Housing Opportunity Goal.
  • DOLA must provide technical assistance to complement the grant program. DOLA must also publish a calculation model and guidance to support local governments with designating Transit Centers by February 28, 2025. 
  • DOLA will publish affordability and displacement-mitigation strategy menus

Based on the Transit Area maps published by DOLA and directed by the statute, the following 32 jurisdictions are Transit-Oriented Communities based on the criteria listed above.

  • Adams County
  • Arapahoe County
  • Arvada
  • Aurora
  • Boulder
  • Boulder County
  • Broomfield
  • Centennial
  • Cherry Hills Village
  • Colorado Springs
  • Commerce City
  • Denver
  • Douglas County
  • Edgewater
  • Englewood
  • Fort Collins
  • Glendale
  • Golden
  • Greenwood Village
  • Jefferson County
  • Lafayette
  • Lakewood
  • Littleton
  • Lone Tree
  • Longmont
  • Louisville
  • Northglenn
  • Sheridan
  • Superior
  • Thornton
  • Westminster
  • Wheat Ridge

This law includes a number of aspects of the review process that localities retain existing authority over, please see Guidance below for more details.

Key Dates

Local Governments

  • June 30, 2025 Preliminary Transit-Oriented Communities assessment report due to DOLA
  • December 31, 2026 Water insufficiency notice due to DOLA, if applicable (and every 3 years if applicable)
  • December 31, 2026 Final Housing Opportunity Goal report due
  • December 31, 2027 State law requires meeting the Housing Opportunity Goal by this date, DOLA gives notice of any non-compliance
  • December 31, 2029 First three-year status report due

State

  • September 30, 2024 DOLA published Transit Area and walkshed maps
  • February 28, 2025 DOLA provides Transit Center calculation model, HOG calculation tool, and guidance
  • June 30, 2025 DOLA publishes affordability menus, displacement risk assessment guidance and strategies

Tools and Documents

We're Here to Help!

Do you have questions about the new laws and impacts to your jurisdiction? Check out our FAQ page or get one-on-one support below:

Ask us a Question

Sign up for Technical Assistance

This form should be used to report problems or issues with this website. Questions pertaining to a program or service provided by DLG should be addressed to contact information located on the specific program pages.

Was this content helpful?