June 12, 2026
Parks Impact Fee. The Parks Impact Fee has finally been put to bed! The Grand Junction City Council adopted ordinance changes on June 3rd that included:
- Implementing the parkland and open space acquisition fee at 75% of the maximum defendable fee pegged at $89,000 which is a 54% drop from original $147,513 per acre fee. Those two elements make up 65% of the Parks Impact Fee.
- Eliminating the need for a new nexus study within eight years as the fees are already linked to inflation. Periodic reviews will take the place of a mandated study saving the City money and countless hours by staff and building professionals
- Implementing a refund mechanism for builders who have paid a higher fee since January, 2026 and a credit or refund for those with lots that have been assessed a separate land dedication or fee in lieu of for open space dedication.
**Why This Matters. The new fee will provide significant savings on the Parks Impact Fee for new home construction. While the fee is calculated on a square foot basis and ranges from a cost savings $400 for 800 s.f. to $1700 for a 3500+ s.f. structure. It is important to note that refunds will have to be requested by builders.
Joint Grand Junction/Mesa County Housing Needs Assessment. Root Policy Center presented a draft of the Housing Needs Assessment to City Council members on May 18th and to County Commissioners on May 19th. Following those meetings the Housing Needs Assessment will be finalized and a draft Housing Action Plan (HAP) will be presented to both bodies later this summer.
- Why This Matters: The Housing Needs Assessment and new Housing Action Plan can either help developers create more housing (by incentives, etc.) or serve as a barrier to building more housing inventory. It is important that the industry have a seat at the table to steer these documents from the beginning to the end to insure a favorable outcome for homebuilders and homebuyers.
Housing Affordability Task Force. The City Council gave an initial nod to the hiring a consultant to assist the Housing Affordability Task Force on June 1st. Members of HATF are working to complete an RFP. Such a consultant can help with technical reviews/recommendations of various parts of the Code and TEDS manual. The Council also adopted a change to the code allowing more flexibility in construction of drive through lanes for commercial restaurants and other businesses. While progress has been somewhat slow, reviews and recommendations are moving forward related to bicycle storage facilities, significant trees and other possible code modifications.
- Why this Matters. The City Council has made affordable housing a priority and a majority of city council members are favorably inclined to make changes based on industry recommendations to the process and the code that will help lessen the regulatory burden and costs locally on housing.
2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) Enforcement of the new code begins on July 1, 2026. Ground-Truthing is a formal process for verifying and updating the Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment Fuels Map and any local WUI designations are accurate and reflect current conditions. The City of Grand Junction has scheduled a special developer’s workshop to discuss the application process for Ground-Truthing on June 17th with the fire department.
- Why This Matters. CWRC will require structurally fire resistant materials which will drive up the costs of new home construction and existing home remodels which are significant in various areas of the Grand Valley.
AMGD. Carrie Gudorf and Josh Martinez met with the group and discussed new requirements that will be necessary in order to receive a new MS4 permit from the State. A complete copy of their PowerPoint is available upon request. Depending on what is ultimately required for TMDL monitoring this could prove costly as each sampling and analysis study costs upwards of $100,000. It should also be noted that the regulatory body within CDPHE has little understanding of Grand Valley soils and the comingling of irrigation water with stormwater.
- Why this Matters. This is actually unfunded mandate on the county that costs taxpayer dollars that might be used elsewhere. Additionally, there may be additional regulations for construction sites that will add to the cost of building.
SWMM Update. HBA hosted a meeting with representatives from local governments and development engineers on June 10th. The meeting was helpful in starting a dialogue about areas of concern with the chapters released so far and the process to date. This is actually a re-write versus and update. Industry representatives met with County leadership on June 12th to request more real world testing of a template staff has requested be used and much more stakeholder involvement and feedback prior to publishing chapters for comments by the public. Right now the “update” is predicted to be completed by late this year.
- Why this Matters. Requirements in the SWMM affect the process and price of new home construction.
Mesa County Land Use and Zoning Code Update. One workshop has already been presented at the Planning Commission meeting and another one was held June 11th at 5:45 PM at the Mesa County Courthouse Hearing Room. Once it clears the Planning Commission the update will be presented to the Mesa County Board Of County Commissioners for approval. To learn more about the changes go to What residents should know about the Land Development Code update | Mesa County
- Why this Matters. This code will be the guiding documents for development in Mesa County for several years and requirements within the code can either add to the cost of homebuilding or make it more affordable.
WCHI. The Western Colorado Housing Initiative, a 501c4 managed by GJARA staff is beginning the process of identifying candidates for next year’s City Council race, building a survey database that can be used in policy discussions about the Comprehensive Plan Update and other future planning efforts along with identifying possible applicants for various city and county boards and commissions. Board members are asked to follow their Facebook Page, (simply search for Western Colorado Housing Initiative and click follow once you on the page.) and consider an anonymous donation to the work of the organization.
- Why it Matters. The value of having industry friendly elected officials cannot be overstated as evidence by recent City Council actions. There are community activists already working to ensure the three seats up for election in 2027 are held by progressives. The recent turnout for the camping ban ordinance shows their organization and effectiveness. There must be a counter balance to such efforts.
Garfield County Housing Summit. Plans are underway for the next annual Garfield County Housing Summit, September 2nd, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Ute Theatre in Rifle. The format will be a combination of presentations and table discussions around housing affordability measures that may move the needle. Please save the date and more information will be forthcoming next month.
- Why it Matters. Housing Affordability across the Western Slope is of concern to realtors, builders and developers. Collaborative efforts and the sharing of what “works” will benefit the entire economic region.