News Release: Town, City and County Establish New Three-Year Affordable Housing Goals
Ouray County, Colorado - The Town of Ridgway, the City of Ouray, and Ouray County have submitted new affordable housing commitments under Colorado’s Proposition 123 program, establishing a combined goal of 37 affordable housing units over the next three-year commitment period, beginning January 1, 2027.
Under the new commitments, the Town of Ridgway has a goal of 13 affordable housing units, the City of Ouray has a goal of 7 units, and Ouray County has a goal of 17 units. The new commitments build on the region’s previous success under Proposition 123, when the three jurisdictions collaboratively met their initial combined goal of 25 affordable housing units nearly one year ahead of schedule. This accomplishment demonstrated the value of coordinating efforts across jurisdictional boundaries to address shared housing challenges.
A Regional Approach to Meeting Housing Needs
Housing affordability affects the entire Ouray County region. Local workers, families, and employers depend on housing opportunities throughout the area, while the availability of developable land, housing projects, and resources varies among individual communities.
A regional approach allows the Town of Ridgway, the City of Ouray, and Ouray County to coordinate their efforts rather than address these challenges in isolation. By working together, the jurisdictions can pursue shared housing objectives, account for different opportunities and constraints within each community, and make progress toward affordable housing goals across the region.
The partnership was formalized through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) signed August 21, 2023, establishing a framework for coordinating Proposition 123 commitments and pooling baseline housing inventory and growth targets to meet the jurisdictions’ collective requirements. As the current IGA expires on December 31, 2026, the three jurisdictions intend to renew the agreement for the next commitment cycle, beginning January 1, 2027, to continue coordinating efforts toward shared regional housing goals.
Why These Commitments Matter
Affordable housing is essential to maintaining healthy, resilient communities. Access to housing that local residents can afford helps workers live closer to their jobs, enables families to remain in the communities where they have established roots, and supports local businesses that depend on a reliable workforce.
In a rural region where housing needs and development opportunities cross municipal boundaries, collaboration can help local governments advance shared goals while supporting the long-term vitality of the entire area. By continuing to coordinate their efforts, the three jurisdictions are working to strengthen the local workforce, support a vibrant year-round economy, and expand housing opportunities for residents and families throughout Ouray County.
New Proposition 123 Commitments by Jurisdiction
The three jurisdictions have submitted the following affordable housing goals for the upcoming commitment period:
- Town of Ridgway: 13 affordable housing units
- City of Ouray: 7 affordable housing units
- Ouray County: 17 affordable housing units
Combined regional goal: 37 affordable housing units
All three commitments are scheduled to begin January 1, 2027, and run for three years, through December 31, 2029. The jurisdictions submitted their commitments ahead of the November 1, 2026, filing deadline.
About Proposition 123
Approved by Colorado voters in 2022, Proposition 123 established the State Affordable Housing Fund to support affordable housing initiatives throughout Colorado. The program provides funding opportunities for local governments, nonprofit organizations, and affordable housing developers to help increase the supply of affordable housing. Participating local governments establish affordable housing commitments and must meet applicable program requirements to qualify for funding opportunities. The Town of Ridgway, the City of Ouray, and Ouray County, in partnership with Home Trust of Ouray County, will continue working collaboratively to advance regional housing solutions and expand affordable housing opportunities for residents, workers, and families throughout Ouray County.
To learn more or to get involved, visit hometrustoc.org.
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