Denver’s planning department is moving forward with a citywide upzoning proposal known as “Unlocking Housing Choices.” The plan would allow property owners to build duplexes, triplexes and four‑unit buildings on residential lots throughout the city, without eliminating existing single‑family homes. City planners say the change could generate roughly 2,000 new housing units each year, helping to lower costs for working families.

Why the proposal returned to a citywide approach

Earlier this year staff narrowed the plan, limiting density to properties within a quarter‑mile of Denver’s “transit priority streets” and rail stations. After receiving feedback from elected officials and community members, planner Rob Elsasser told a virtual open house on Nov. 4, “We have returned to a citywide approach so that certain neighborhoods or certain areas that are at risk of higher impacts don’t have that more concentrated impact.”

Support from council members and advocates

Four council members have publicly backed the broader proposal. District 9 Councilmember Darrell Watson wrote, “Denver families are asking City Council to address housing affordability. The original Unlocking Housing Choices policy offers solutions to increase housing options for working families citywide and should be restored.” Environmental and housing advocates also praised the original plan, noting that building up rather than out could support the city’s climate goals and reduce sprawl.

Opposition and concerns

Councilmember Kevin Flynn voiced disappointment with the shift back to a citywide model, arguing that it overrides the city’s Neighborhood Planning Initiative’s middle‑housing plans. “City planners have been under a lot of pressure to go back to the original proposal and I’m just so disappointed that they caved in,” Flynn said.

Next steps

The full upzoning proposal is slated for a council vote in the spring. The city will continue holding in‑person information sessions through mid‑November to gather additional public input. Residents who wish to learn more or provide comments are encouraged to attend the upcoming meetings.

While the debate continues, the upzoning effort reflects Denver’s broader attempt to address a housing shortage that has driven up rents and limited options for families. If adopted, the policy could reshape the city’s neighborhoods by allowing more multi‑family homes while preserving existing single‑family properties.

Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.