October 30, 2025

Small But Mighty: How ADUs Are Increasing Housing Supply

19 minutes

Until 2025, where you lived in Colorado determined whether or not you could build an accessory dwelling unit or ADU. But a new law sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile has changed that. Now, it’s easier than ever to build a little granny flat out back. When it comes to bridging Colorado’s housing supply gap, each and every ADU adds up.

In Denver, Renee Martinez-Stone with the Denver Housing Authority has helped homeowners to build ADUs through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. ADUs not only offset costs for homeowners, but also provide lower rents, allowing longtime residents to stay put. Jaime Gomez, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, explains how these flexible units are disrupting displacement and becoming a valuable tool to address Colorado’s housing crisis.

Resources from this episode:

Colorado's New ADU Law
Colorado's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Toolkit
West Denver Renaissance Collaborative (WDRC)
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver ADU Program
ADUs Are Good for People and Places

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