The Buildout

Creating affordable housing doesn’t always mean starting from the ground up. Sometimes, the opportunity is already part of the community. This episode is all about adaptive reuse: the practice of transforming historic structures into affordable housing. Adaptive reuse is a creative and sustainable way to breathe new life into old spaces, and can revitalize neighborhoods while honoring their past. In this episode, we look at two developments—Calkins Commons in Cortez and the Mosaic Community Campus in Denver—that did just that. 

Resources from this episode:

• Calkins Commons
• Mosaic Community Campus

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com.

Colorado’s teachers and public school employees are being priced out of the communities they serve, and that’s affecting students and schools. A Keystone Policy Institute survey of more than 3,000 Colorado educators and public school employees found that many spend over 40 percent of their income on housing. A new statewide program could help. The CHFA Schools To Home program offers down payment assistance to public school employees, opening a new pathway into homeownership for educators, and a new tool to combat teacher shortages and high turnover.

Colorado State Senator Lisa Frizell shares more about how the CHFA Schools To Home model works, and why the unique structure is well suited for Colorado educators. Angie McPhaul of Gary Community Ventures says a statewide solution is needed, and that living close to school helps teachers build lasting connections with students and stay in the classroom.

Resources from this episode: 

• Keystone Policy Institute: Teacher Perspectives on Housing Affordability
• CHFA Schools To Home
• Gary Community Ventures

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com.

Food and shelter are two basic things all humans need to survive. But with the rising costs of both groceries and housing, a lot of Coloradans are finding it difficult to afford both. In this episode, we hear from organizations seeking to address food insecurity, including Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, Longmont Housing Authority, and the Family and Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) in Summit County. Each is unique in their strategy, but all share the conviction that one should never have to choose between dinner or shelter. 

Resources from this episode: 

• Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado
• Longmont Housing Authority 
• Family and Intercultural Resource Center

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com.

Colorado needs over 136,000 more affordable housing units for low-income earners. That means the state needs people to build that housing. From skilled tradespeople to developers and property managers, the industry needs all kinds of workers to tackle the state’s housing crisis.  

In Colorado Springs, Mat Lujan and Cliff Hunter head up Project Diakonia; a nonprofit that mentors at-risk youth with hands-on construction training, and partners with Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing. Plus, the University of Denver offers an intensive, year-long curriculum to support housing and real estate professionals at every level. Co-director Susan Daggett says these cohorts bring together students with diverse experiences from all over the state, encouraging them to use their unique expertise to help solve problems together.  

After we’re done developing and building affordable housing, it’s property managers who take on the day-to-day work. Since affordable housing is not like conventional housing, property managers and the other multifamily property staff in these developments need unique support. They can turn to chfareach, which is an educational program for people who are developing, managing, or living in affordable housing properties. Program coordinator Belinda Waldron says they currently support almost 700 organizations and properties, and that number is only expected to grow. 

Resources from this episode:

• Project Diakonia 
• The Executive Certificate in Affordable Housing at University of Denver
• chfareach

As people exit incarceration, they are 10 times more likely to slip into homelessness because they face higher barriers to obtaining steady employment, reliable healthcare, and affordable housing. Colorado is home to many organizations dedicated to helping folks find a home amid their reentry journeys. 

Julie Kiehl is the Executive Director of the Empowerment Program: an organization that primarily supports women leaving incarceration with affordable housing and wraparound services. Mandelyn Lewis shares her own experience finding housing through the Empowerment Program. Dan Ordaz, Executive Director of Jobs of Hope, discusses how his organization serves formerly incarcerated men in northern Colorado—where there are fewer resources compared to larger metros like Denver. Finally, Hassan Latif, founder of Second Chance Center, shares his experience of exiting incarceration and using that knowledge to help others in their own journeys. He believes that kind of lived experience can be an asset to a person, not a hindrance.

Resources from this episode:

• The Empowerment Program
• Colorado WAGEES Program
• Jobs of Hope
• Second Chance Center

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com.

Copyright ©2026 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. All rights reserved.

Colorado’s housing and economic development needs are as diverse as the state’s landscapes. From plains to mountains, and from cities to ski slopes, no two communities are the same. Each needs tailor-made solutions. Through a strategic initiative called Vision 2030, CHFA plans to channel $30 billion in statewide investment to fuel housing and economic development, working closely with stakeholders from Kit Carson to Grand Junction.

To realize this vision, CHFA needs to collaborate with community leaders across the state, like Laura Lewis Marchino of the Region 9 Economic Development District. She says the high cost of required assessments create a burden for small governments. Scott Aker, CEO of Grand Junction Housing Authority, says much of the funding available for affordable housing is still out of reach for certain parts of the state. Amy Johnson of Kit Carson Rural Development says her area needs a way to subsidize small-scale developments. April Long, Executive Director of the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition, says rising housing costs continue to displace the region's workers.

Thomas Bryan, CHFA’s Executive Director and CEO, says that Vision 2030 adapts to these diverse needs through specificity, key partnerships, and community alignment, all with the hope of increasing collective impact across Colorado. 

Resource from this episode:

• Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado
• Grand Junction Housing Authority
• Kit Carson Rural Development
• West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com. 

Copyright ©2026 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. All rights reserved. 

This season on The Buildout, a podcast from Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), we’re looking at what it takes to prepare Colorado for the future. Join us for Season Three beginning August 27, 2026, available wherever you listen to podcasts.  

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com.

Silverton, Colorado, is tucked away in the mountains in the southwest part of the state and has about 731 residents. But they want to grow, and to do so, they need more housing. Contrary to what you might think, building even just a few units of affordable housing is complicated and expensive for small communities. They often don’t meet the criteria for the big federal housing programs, like Housing Tax Credits. That’s why CHFA launched Small-scale Housing Technical Assistance, which provides training to communities like Silverton to overcome obstacles to building affordable housing. Ann Chase, director of the Silverton Housing Authority, explains how the program turned things around for the town. They are now adding nine townhomes of affordable housing, which will increase Silverton’s housing stock by 10 percent in just one building season. 

Mary Coddington, founder of Twelve Inc., is a consultant who helps communities like Silverton as part of the technical assistance program. Small towns face an uphill battle to build affordable housing, and Coddington says funding is the biggest challenge. She discusses how CHFA is creating new avenues for financing small-scale developments throughout the state in towns like Hayden and Dolores. 

Then, we’ll visit Mancos, just a few hours away, where Tami Graham and a team of passionate citizens banded together to save a historic printing press and the building it resides in. In the process, they took advantage of Small-scale Housing Technical Assistance, adding three units of affordable housing to Mancos’ downtown. Graham says she hopes to see more developments like this in Mancos. 

Resources from this episode:

• CHFA Small-scale Housing Technical Assistance
• Silverton Housing Authority
• Mancos Common Press

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com. 

Copyright ©2025 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. All rights reserved. 

In Colorado, nearly 130,000 adults have an intellectual or developmental disability, or IDD. That’s an umbrella term for a group of conditions that includes Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy. Nearly three-quarters of people with IDD live with their families, and many of those caregivers are over the age of 60. Those caregivers often fear what will happen to their adult children with IDD when they need care themselves.  

Jeans Mobley is Executive Director of Trailhead Community, a housing development built according to the needs and wants of people with IDD. She walks us through the many features that make Trailhead a welcoming community for all. Then we hear from Desiree Kameka Galloway, CEO and Lead Consultant for Neuro-inclusive Housing Solutions and Director of Autism Housing Networks. She studies the housing needs of IDD adults and their families and works with developers on housing solutions to fit those needs. She discusses the considerations and challenges involved in building neuro-inclusive housing. 

The Grove at Cottonwood is a neuro-inclusive development underway in Broomfield. Kristin Hyser, Executive Director of Broomfield Housing Alliance, explains how IDD adults were invited to shape the Grove. Slated to open next fall, Hyser says she’s learned how centering these needs in the design process can provide benefits for anyone and everyone. 

Resource from this episode:

• Trailhead Community 
• About Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 
• Neuro-inclusive Housing Solutions 
• Autism Housing Network 
• Broomfield Housing Alliance 
• The Grove at Cottonwood 

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com. 

Copyright ©2025 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. All rights reserved. 

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) is expanding its building for the first time in nearly 50 years. The arts institution has long uplifted Denver’s African American community and the Five Points neighborhood. Malik Robinson, CPRD’s President and CEO, is leading the expansion project, but it wouldn’t have been possible without a financing tool called New Markets Tax Credits.  

These credits, established by Congress in 2000, encourage private investors to put cash into specific communities – ones that are considered economically distressed. In Grand Junction, New Markets Tax Credits helped the Food Bank of the Rockies to build a much-needed new facility in 2022. One in eight Coloradans face food insecurity, and Western Slope director Sue Ellen Rodwick says the new facility helps the organization to respond to the current need. Without New Markets Tax Credits, this growth might not have been possible. More broadly, these investments spur economic development in Colorado by creating jobs, improving local infrastructure, and increasing support for local businesses.

Resources from this episode:

• Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Capital Campaign
• Arts and Culture National Economic Impact
• Arts and Culture Economic Impact on Metro Denver
• Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000
• CHFA - New Markets Tax Credits
• Food Bank of the Rockies
• Hunger Facts - Hunger Free Colorado
• Food Bank of the Rockies Metro Denver Distribution Center Capital Campaign

By accessing this podcast, I acknowledge that: views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial or other advice. CHFA does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency, or suitability of the information provided and reference to any specific product or entity does not necessarily constitute CHFA’s endorsement or recommendation of it. The podcast may not be reproduced or redistributed without CHFA’s prior written consent and may be subject to the respective terms and policies of CHFA and the podcast hosting provider(s). CHFA is an Equal Opportunity Lender. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more information about CHFA, nondiscrimination, and other legal notices please visit chfainfo.com. 

Copyright ©2025 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. All rights reserved.