The Advocate Newsletter | May 5, 2026
May 5, 2026
In this edition:
• HBA of Metro Denver Held Second Annual Builder/Developer Roundtable Discussion with Commerce City Council
• Castle Rock Approves New Tiered Structure for Water System Development Fees
• Elbert County to Accept Masterplan Submittals - Effective Immediately
• HBA HSEP Stormwater Compliance Training - Now Just $20
HBA of Metro Denver Held Second Annual Builder/Developer Roundtable Discussion with Commerce City Council
Since early 2025, the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver has partnered with Commerce City Council and staff through a series of Developer Roundtable discussions aimed at addressing barriers to residential construction and fostering a more collaborative development environment. These conversations began as an opportunity to openly discuss concerns from the building community - including rising costs, process inefficiencies and regulatory complexity - and have since evolved into a productive working relationship focused on solutions. The willingness of City leadership to engage directly with builders has set a strong foundation for meaningful progress.
Over the past year, these Roundtable discussions have translated into tangible policy and process improvements that benefit both the municipality and the residential construction industry. Commerce City has taken significant steps to streamline development, including repealing the fire sprinkler mandate, adopting a more predictable Land Development Code, launching a faster “Light Speed” review process, reducing pre-application fees, and eliminating the Water Acquisition Impact Fee. These changes have improved certainty, reduced timelines and lowered upfront cost - key factors in enabling builders to deliver more affordable housing faster.
The most recent Roundtable discussion, held last week, focused on evaluating the effectiveness of these changes and identifying additional opportunities for improvement. A central topic of discussion was the City’s proposal to reduce development and impact fees, with strong collaboration between the HBA and City staff to ensure Commerce City remains competitive within the region. These ongoing conversations continue to reflect a shared commitment to balancing responsible growth with economic feasibility.
One of the most impactful outcomes currently under consideration is a proposed 40 percent reduction in impact fees. This effort represents a significant step forward in addressing housing affordability, as it has the potential to save aspiring homeowners thousands of dollars on the price of a new home. The HBA of Metro Denver is proud to work alongside Commerce City in advancing policies that support attainable housing and sustainable growth, demonstrating how public-private collaboration can lead to meaningful, lasting benefits for the entire community.
Castle Rock Approves New Tiered Structure for Water System Development Fees
On April 21, the Castle Rock Town Council approved on first reading, a new, more tailored approach to calculating System Development Fees (SDFs) for single-family residential construction, aiming to better align tap fees with actual water use and system impact. The updated methodology separates Water Resources fees from Water and Wastewater fees. Going forward, Water Resources SDFs will include a tiered structure based on total square footage on 500 square increments, reflecting observed differences in average daily water use associated with home size. Under the new plan, homes under 5,000 square feet will see a reduction in their tap going forward with the amount increasing substantially as home sizes become smaller. Together, these changes are designed to improve fairness and accuracy while maintaining the Town’s long-standing “growth pays for growth” framework.
The proposal comes in response to concerns from the HBA regarding the proportionality and competitiveness of Castle Rock’s current fee structure. The HBA has expressed general support for the revised approach, noting that it more appropriately “right sizes” fees and could help reduce costs for smaller homes. Town Council is expected to finalize the fee structure on second reading later this month with the implementation date occurring on July 1 of this year.
Elbert County to Accept Masterplan Submittals – Effective Immediately
The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver recently worked with Elbert County leadership to successfully revise the Building Department’s permit submittal requirements, resolving concerns that had emerged following procedural changes implemented in late 2025. Under the updated policy, the County has agreed to reinstate a more flexible, industry-aligned approach that allows builders to utilize master architectural and structural plans in combination with lot-specific documentation, rather than requiring fully custom, site-specific plan sets for every home. This shift marks a return to the streamlined process previously used under SafeBuilt, where builders could efficiently tailor standardized plans with project-specific details such as soils reports, foundation designs and selected options while maintaining full code compliance.
The revised approach is expected to significantly reduce both costs and timelines for homebuilders, particularly production builders who rely on pre-engineered, code-compliant designs used across multiple jurisdictions. Prior to the change, builders reported that the requirement for fully site-specific plans added approximately $3,000 per home, with additional project carry costs ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 due to extended review periods. By adopting the HBA’s recommendations, Elbert County has restored a more predictable and efficient permitting pathway while maintaining its commitment to safety and compliance, providing meaningful relief to builders and supporting continued housing development in the region. The new policy has already been implemented and is effective immediately.
HBA HSEP Stormwater Compliance Training - Now Just $20
It is now easier than ever to get your team the stormwater training they need. The Homebuilders Stormwater Excellence Program (HSEP) Stormwater Compliance Course is now available for just $20 per person - lunch included. Our next training is scheduled for May 28, starting at 9 a.m.
This full-day course is designed for anyone involved in stormwater management on permitted residential construction sites. Whether you're overseeing projects or working in the field, this training walks participants through the entire construction lifecycle - from initial land disturbance to final stabilization - while helping you stay compliant and avoid costly CDPHE fines.
The course covers key topics like permitting requirements, inspections, SWPPP essentials, erosion and sediment control best practices, and the environmental impacts of stormwater pollution. It’s a practical, hands-on opportunity to strengthen your knowledge and ensure your projects meet state and federal expectations.
Spots are limited, so be sure to register early. If you’re interested in scheduling training for your team, reach out - we’re happy to work with you.
You can register for the May 28 class by clicking here.
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.