The Buildout

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 PressBy 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 CampaignArts and Culture National Economic ImpactArts and Culture Economic Impact on Metro DenverCommunity Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000CHFA - New Markets Tax CreditsFood Bank of the RockiesHunger Facts - Hunger Free ColoradoFood Bank of the Rockies Metro Denver Distribution Center Capital CampaignBy 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.

The majority of people age 65 and older in the U.S. want to stay in their homes as long as possible, according to numerous AARP surveys over the last decade. It’s a phenomenon known as aging in place. However, like many Coloradans, older adults struggle with increased housing costs. But they face unique challenges, like chronic health conditions and fixed incomes.Organizations like Brothers Redevelopment and Silver Key Senior Services are working to address these challenges. Jeff Martinez, founder and president of Brothers Redevelopment, discusses the importance of home improvements for older adults who stay in their homes, and Jason DeaBueno, CEO of Silver Key Senior Services, explores holistic approaches to keep older adults housed and financially solvent. For people who own their homes and have a room to spare, Sunshine Home Share Colorado pairs them with people looking for affordable rent. Founder and executive director Alison Joucovsky explains how home shares solve two housing needs at once without building anything—other than relationships. Resources from this episode:AARP Aging in Place SurveyBrothers RedevelopmentPaint-A-ThonSilver Key Senior ServicesSunshine Home Share ColoradoBy 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.

Alex had her daughter, Tiara, when she was 17. Like many new parents, she struggled to balance child care with all of her other responsibilities, but she also didn’t have a car, and she was too young to sign a lease. Things changed when she found Florence Crittenton Services of Colorado, a high school with child care onsite. Desta Taye-Channell is president and CEO of Florence Crittenton, and she says the model meets the needs of two generations at once. More organizations are catching on to the idea that onsite child care lowers barriers for low-income parents and allows the whole family to thrive. One such place is Warren Village, an affordable housing development with child care and early education on the ground floor. CEO Ethan Hemming discusses the impact of this model and shares success stories. Pamela Harris, president and CEO of Mile High Early Learning, discusses the challenges and triumphs of supporting Colorado’s most vulnerable kids. Resources from this episode:The cost of child care in ColoradoFlorence Crittenton ServicesWarren VillageWarren Village's Thrive by Five campaignMile High Early LearningUnder One Roof: Combining Affordable Homes with Child Care SolutionsFederal Spending and Colorado Children: Understanding the ImpactExecutives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC)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.

When it comes to housing, Coloradans have been feeling a crunch for a while. The reasons are many, and the challenges are not the same everywhere. But whether it's Kit Carson, Colorado Springs, or Frisco, housing doesn't exist in a void. Safe, affordable, and accessible housing is just one piece of a greater community. The other pieces that complete the puzzle are education, jobs, access to food, and healthcare. But when housing becomes too expensive, those other essentials also become harder to access. From far away, the housing crisis looks like one big problem. But when you get closer, you see that it's actually a series of problems that are all linked. The good news is for every problem there's a solver, and Colorado happens to be full of solvers. The Buildout, a podcast from Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, features the stories of the people driving affordable housing and community development in Colorado. Season two begins Thursday, September 4, 2025.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.

More and more people in Colorado’s resort and rural towns fall into what’s called “the missing middle.” People who have good jobs, earning decent wages, but who are nonetheless struggling to afford housing where they live. They often earn too much to qualify for federal affordable rental housing programs, which limit eligibility to those whose incomes fall under a certain threshold. On the flip side, they are cost burdened by increasingly expensive and scarce housing. Colorado is leading the charge to develop programs to serve this population, including CHFA’s Middle-income Access Program (MIAP) and the Middle-income Housing Tax Credit (MIHTC). In this episode, we hear from people working to take advantage of these resources to build and preserve middle-income housing across Colorado: Kimball Crangle, Colorado Market President for Gorman and Company, a national developer of affordable housing; Summit County Commissioner Tamara Pogue; and Steve Cordova, executive director of Las Animas Bent County Housing Authority and Total Concept, a housing and community development corporation serving rural Coloradans.Resources from this episode: Read more about Colorado’s Middle-income Housing Tax Credit Learn about CHFA’s Middle-income Access program Visit Gorman and Company’s Colorado Market Webpage Learn more about Total Concept 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.

The Fair Housing Act, passed in 1968, outlawed housing discrimination. However, more than 50 years later, the homeownership rate between white and Black Americans remains nearly unchanged. On top of that, communities that faced discriminatory policies in the past still feel the impacts today. According to research from the University of California, Berkeley, people living in historically redlined neighborhoods are highly vulnerable to air, water, and noise pollutants as well as other health problems. Discrimination is also not solely a thing of the past. On this episode of The Buildout, we hear from housing professionals in Colorado who have been working to close the gap between white and Black homeownership: CHFA development specialist Greg Brown, Arthur Brown of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation and Kevin Marchman, co-founder and chairman of the National Organization of African Americans in Housing. Resources from this episode: Learn more about CHFA resources for first generation homebuyers Learn more about Own Your Tomorrow homebuyer programs Learn more about Own Your Tomorrow events in Denver Learn more about Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Learn more about the National Organization of African Americans in Housing 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.

Housing insecurity is on the rise in the U.S. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), more than 770,000 Americans were experiencing homelessness in January 2024—the largest number ever recorded since HUD began gathering data in 2007. The main factor driving housing instability in this country is the shortage of affordable housing. Like everywhere else in the nation, Coloradans are feeling the effects of this housing shortage, but what that looks like depends on where in the state you stand. Because of how complex this crisis is, we’re devoting the next two episodes of The Buildout to solutions to tackling homelessness, focusing this first installment on Colorado’s urban areas. Along the Front Range, the affordable housing crisis tends to be a lot more visible, where large urban encampments have become the norm in recent years, sparking controversy and capturing headlines. We hear from guests who have been working to shift how cities approach homelessness, through the use of supportive housing, safe outdoor sites, and compassionate policies.Links to resources discussed in this episode:If you or a loved one are experiencing homelessness, contact 211 Colorado for information about resourcesLearn how to get involved with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH)Learn how to get involved with Community Investment Alliance Denver Department of Housing Stability Learn more about CCH's Advocacy NetworkAnalysis on the Denver Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative Invisible People’s 2023 documentary “Finland Solved Homelessness: Here’s How” CCH’s 2023 State of Homelessness ReportPallet rapid-response shelter builderRestoration Christian Ministries’ affordable housing development partnership, King’s Crossing Village 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.

For the last 50 years, CHFA, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, has worked alongside partners and communities in pursuit of the vision that everyone in Colorado will have the opportunity for housing stability and economic prosperity. In this first episode of The Buildout, we chat with Cris White, outgoing executive director, about his more than 30-year career at the organization and all of the changes and growth he’s seen. Cris takes us back to CHFA’s first partnership after the 1976 Big Thompson Flood, to CHFA’s expansion to offer business financing and the many programs CHFA has developed over the years. We’ll dig into CHFA’s investments in increasing homeownership, building affordable housing and creating partnerships to support a stronger Colorado. Resources from this episode: CHFA’s 50th Anniversary Homebuyer’s Roadmap Business Lending Programs Find Affordable Housing 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 ©2024 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. All rights reserved.