Colorado: Governor Polis to Attend Denver’s First Ever Smart Stair Housing Competition, Smart Stair Apartments: Smart For Safety, Supply, and Affordability

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DENVER ~ Denver, CO - Governor Jared Polis will be in attendance at the first ever Single Stair Housing competition in Denver today. The event, which begins at 5 pm MT, will be held at 1550 Wynkoop Street and will showcase designs that utilize Single-Stair, or Smart-Stair apartments, to create more affordable housing options while also improving the walkability and livability of neighborhoods.

The idea for Smart-Stair reform was first introduced by Governor Polis during his 2025 State of the State address. He recognized the need for innovative solutions to address the housing crisis in Colorado and called for changes to be made in order to increase the supply of affordable housing in desirable neighborhoods.

"In Colorado, we are leading the way in creating more affordable housing options where people want to live," said Governor Polis. "The cost of housing is a top concern for hardworking Coloradans and we are committed to removing government barriers and empowering builders to construct homes that fit within our communities."

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According to Pew Research, Single-Stairway Apartments have a strong safety record and are more cost-effective than traditional multi-storied buildings. They also provide more 2-4 bedroom units for families and are considered safe for residents. Additionally, these buildings take up less space, reduce building costs, increase natural light for residents, and can significantly decrease cooling costs.

However, current building codes require multiple stairwells in residential buildings of five stories or less. This can increase building costs by 6-13%, making it difficult for builders to create affordable housing options. To address this issue, HB25-1273 - Residential Building Stair Modernization - was introduced by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Steven Woodrow, as well as Senators Matt Ball and Nick Hinrichsen.

This bill would allow for the construction of Smart-Stair buildings in Colorado, providing more affordable housing options while also giving builders the flexibility to construct homes that fit within the neighborhoods. "Expensive land costs are a huge barrier to building housing, and if we want to effectively address the housing crisis, we have to be strategic about how we utilize the space we have available," said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker.

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The bill has received support from various Colorado Democrats who believe it is a crucial step in addressing the housing crisis. "This PEW study confirms what we knew as we crafted this legislation - we can create more housing at a price Coloradans can afford while keeping our communities safe," said Representative Steven Woodrow.

Senator Matt Ball, sponsor of HB25-1273, also emphasized the importance of this bill in providing safe and practical solutions for building affordable family-sized apartments. "The Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge proves that, in addition to their safety and efficiency, single-stair buildings can be impressive architectural additions to our neighborhoods," he said.

Senator Nick Hinrichsen echoed these sentiments, stating that modernizing outdated building codes is a critical step in increasing housing supply and ensuring that every Coloradan has access to safe and affordable housing.

As Governor Polis attends the Single Stair Housing competition tonight, he will not only be supporting innovative designs but also advocating for change in building codes that will ultimately benefit hardworking Coloradans looking for affordable housing options.

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