A proposed law would help Colorado churches turn their properties into housing developments. Here鈥檚 how that might work

In The NoCo

A proposed law would help Colorado churches turn their properties into housing developments. Here鈥檚 how that might work

By In The NoCo,

Stephanie Daniel, Brad Turner, Erin O'Toole, Ariel Lavery

Published March 19, 2025 at 5:35 AM MDT

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A rendering of Heartside Hill, a mixed unit affordable housing development in Fort Collins, CO. This venture is a collaboration between Heart of the Rockies Christian Church, CARE Housing, Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity, and L'Arche Northern Colorado — Heartside Hill is a mixed unit affordable housing development that's currently under construction in Fort Collins, CO. The venture is a collaboration between Heart of the Rockies Christian Church, CARE Housing, Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity, and L'Arche Northern Colorado

A at the state capitol would allow religious organizations to use their properties to build housing developments. It's an idea some state lawmakers see as an opportunity.

Supporters say it would help alleviate Colorado's housing shortage, using thousands of acres of available church-owned property around the state.

皇冠网址's Stephanie Daniel has been . She spent time visiting a church in Fort Collins that created a version of this idea 鈥� a development that they hope will foster a sense of community for future residents and church members.

Stephanie joined host Erin O鈥橳oole to share the story of how got into the real estate business, and how viable the idea might be for other faith-based groups.

Cristina Mahon, a woman wearing blue jeans and a dark green jacket, a bright orange safety vest, and a white hard hat, stands in the snow in front of an apartment building under construction in Fort Collins — Heart of the Rockies Christian Church moderator Cristina Mahon on Feb. 13, 2025, standing in front of an apartment building under construction in Fort Collins

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In The NoCo

皇冠网址's In The NoCo is a daily slice of stories, news, people and issues. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show brings context and insight to the stories of the day, often elevating unheard voices in the process. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we celebrate the lighter side of things here, too.

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Stephanie Daniel

The 鈥淎merican Dream鈥� was coined in 1931 and since then the phrase has inspired people to work hard and dream big. But is it achievable today? Graduating from college is challenging, jobs are changing, and health care and basic rights can be a luxury. I report on the barriers people face and overcome to succeed and create a better life for themselves and their families.

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Brad Turner

Brad Turner is an executive producer in 皇冠网址's newsroom. He manages the podcast team that makes In The NoCo, which also airs weekdays in Morning Edition and All Things Considered. His work as a podcaster and journalist has appeared on NPR's Weekend Edition, NPR Music, the PBS Newshour, Colorado Public Radio, MTV Online, the Denver Post, Boulder's Daily Camera, and the Longmont Times-Call.

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Erin O'Toole

As the host of 皇冠网址鈥檚 new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.

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Ariel Lavery

Ariel Lavery grew up in Louisville, Colorado and has returned to the Front Range after spending over 25 years moving around the country. She co-created the podcast Middle of Everywhere for WKMS, Murray State University鈥檚 NPR member station, and won Public Media Journalism awards in every season she produced for Middle of Everywhere. Her most recent series project is "The Burn Scar", published with The Modern West podcast. In it, she chronicles two years of her family鈥檚 financial and emotional struggle following the loss of her childhood home in the Marshall Fire.

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