The HBA Advocate | Tuesday, July 1, 2025
July 1, 2025
In this edition:
- HBA Publishes New Local Government Impact Fee Study
- Town of Castle Rock to Consider New Homebuilder Kiosk Signage Program
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HBA Publishes New Local Government Impact Fee Study
The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver has completed a comprehensive study analyzing the development fees assessed on new housing construction across the 16 leading local governments in the region. As Colorado grapples with a growing housing affordability crisis, this study highlights a key - but often overlooked - contributor to rising home prices: government-imposed development fees.
These fees - comprising building permit fees, use taxes, impact fees, and system development (water tap) fees?are necessary to support local infrastructure but significantly increase the cost of new home construction. On average, builders in the metro Denver area pay approximately $68,000 in development fees for a single-family detached home and $52,000 for a single-family attached home.
By providing side-by-side comparisons and detailed breakdowns, this study helps builders, policymakers, and stakeholders better understand how local development fees influence housing affordability - and where reform may be most impactful.
An executive summary of the study’s findings is now available on the HBA’s website. More information or general inquiries can be directed to Albert Bozoki, Government Affairs Coordinator, at abozoki@hbadenver.com.
Town of Castle Rock to Consider New Homebuilder Kiosk Signage Program
A number of our builders in Castle Rock have grown impatient regarding Castle Rock’s approach to recent enforcement of sales signage for their communities. Area builders were informed in late 2023 that the Town is no longer sponsoring or allowing common wayfinding signage going forward in the right-of-way. The Town’s enforcement has resulted in a number of citations. According to the Town, the prohibition for any sign in the rights-of-way, off-premise signage, and wind sign types like flutter flags and balloons is not new and has been in the Town’s regulations for over 20 years. However, enforcement over the years has been very spotty during the week and generally non-existent on weekends, as they only have one zoning inspector. Last April, Town Council directed staff to begin more regular weekend enforcement of the existing code, as complaints have increased.
In the fall of 2023, the Town also decided not to renew its contract for its Sign Plaza program. According to the Town, the sign plaza program was put in place many years ago and was thought at the time as a legal way to allow new neighborhood/builder directional advertising. Both of these developments have created limited opportunities for area builders to effectively market their products. The HBA has held three meetings with Town Manager Dave Corliss, Director of Development Services Tara Vargish and Town Council Member Max Brooks to discuss this issue and see if s more organized and formal kiosk program may be an option.
Council Member Brooks brought the idea before the full town council two weeks ago and a full hearing on the matter is scheduled for this evening. The HBA, along with Fusion Signs and a few area builders, will be attending the hearing and advocating in support of the proposal.
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HBA of Metro Denver Issue Tracker
Questions on what is happening in a specific city or county? The HBA is regularly monitoring the council and board activities in every political subdivision in the metro Denver area. Our Issue Tracker offers a great resource to learn about the issues being deliberated with links to agendas, packets and ordinances. The HBA of Metro Denver HBA Issue Tracker is available to all members here.