{"id":330,"date":"2024-03-28T18:49:18","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T19:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lopks.online\/?p=330"},"modified":"2024-04-17T13:04:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T13:04:22","slug":"letters-population-growth-is-driving-housing-prices-up-in-colorado-and-pushing-locals-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lopks.online\/index.php\/2024\/03\/28\/letters-population-growth-is-driving-housing-prices-up-in-colorado-and-pushing-locals-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters: Population growth is driving housing prices up in Colorado and pushing locals out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Growth is driving housing prices up and pushing locals out<\/h4>\n

Re: “Housing crisis: Build our way out?<\/a>” March 24 commentary<\/p>\n

Steve Pomerance\u2019s excellent coverage of Colorado\u2019s shortage of affordable housing and its related problems is clearly on target regarding population growth and affordable housing.<\/p>\n

Due to population growth, I don\u2019t believe that using taxpayer money to build affordable housing is a sustainable solution to what has become a long-standing problem.\u00a0On the contrary, Colorado\u2019s shortage of affordable housing is symptomatic of the far more pressing problem of the vast income inequalities created by relatively affluent newcomers moving into economically poor rural areas.\u00a0This influx of affluent people has the unintended effect of economically displacing long-time residents whose family incomes and retirements pale in comparison.<\/p>\n

Case in point: I recently helped a disabled neighbor who was months away from losing his home due to a projected 100% increase in his home property taxes and insurance payments. Thanks to Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskey and local officials, this situation has been remedied for the time being.<\/p>\n

For those who believe that real estate inflation is a boon to Colorado\u2019s economy, the rest of us aren\u2019t reading from the same page.\u00a0Trying to stay financially afloat in a community afflicted by rapidly inflating home values has become an exercise in futility for residents who have spent their lives living and working in rural Colorado.<\/p>\n

In response to Steve Pomerance\u2019s well-written article, when the big money comes in, the little money has to get out. End of story.<\/p>\n

Gary E. Goms, Buena Vista<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you for the call-out. I do not understand why the current majority leadership in our state government at all levels is so intent on growth, more growth and regulation to spoil and destroy the quality of life here.<\/p>\n

Front Range rail? Really? Ask Niwot or Longmont how that’s worked out. Craig rail service? To urbanize the Western Slope with no tangible benefits and collateral impacts from Denver? Forget skiing on a weekends in Colorado because of crowding, traffic and costs.<\/p>\n

As a long-time resident, I find it appalling to see the decay in the quality of life here in Colorado. Nothing is preserving our beloved state, and greedheads are everywhere. Alternative states are looking better every day to escape the rape of this once pristine and cared-for land by its residents. Not that way anymore.<\/p>\n

Grant Bayless, Masonville<\/em><\/p>\n