Supporters of fair housing opportunities want Southwest Colorado landlords, property managers and consumers to have a full understanding of Colorado’s housing discrimination laws.

That starts by educating them about provisions in federal housing discrimination laws – which the state mirrors its laws after – and how people with disabilities are impacted, during two forums this week.

Durango consumers can attend an in-person forum from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Durango Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave., or online via Zoom, while Durango landlords and property managers can attend the forum via Zoom from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday. Cortez consumers can attend an in-person forum from 1:30 to 4 p.m.Thursday at the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce, 20 W. Main St., while landlords and property managers can attend via Zoom from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday.

The two forums are part of a larger statewide campaign to inform landlords and property managers about housing discrimination and what to do if it happens, said John Paul Marosy, who oversees the education and outreach department with the Denver Metro Fair Housing Center.

Marosy said nearly half of complaints nationwide filed with the U.S. Department of Housing are from people with disabilities, adding a big reason is because landlords don’t understand provisions in federal laws to provide “reasonable accommodations” and “reasonable modifications” that people with disabilities may need to “fully enjoy their home,” whether they rent or own that property.

This can lead to discrimination, which sometimes is unintentional, Marosy said.

Kelsey Bell, executive director of Southwest Center for Independence, said the forums will be valuable for property managers in the Durango and Cortez areas because they may not be as familiar with the state’s housing discrimination laws compared to larger property management companies.

Bell also said there needs to be more education opportunities about how fair housing laws protect different classes of people, including those with disabilities.

“By sponsoring this event, it gets the conversation going in our community,” she said.

According to data from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, 8,632 Colorado households hold vouchers. Of that number, 7,160 of those households include a person with a disability (whether that person is the head of the household or a spouse).

Residents between the ages of 50 and 69 make up nearly 53% included in those households, according to the data.

Discrimination stretches beyond disabilities

Bell said the Southwest Center for Independence sees housing discrimination involving not only people with disabilities, but also with regard to income.

Although Colorado has additional protections for how income is counted when applying for housing, Bell said some people are being turned away because they may rely on Social Security or housing vouchers to help pay for rent.

“It absolutely does happen, and we see that our agency on a pretty frequent basis,” she said.

Bell also said people with disabilities may have difficulty accessing units that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, such as homes or apartments that either have a first-floor entryway; an elevator to reach units; a front door that’s wide enough for wheelchairs and other “mobility equipment” to fit through; or grab bars in the bathroom.

Bell said such units are lacking, especially in Cortez.

“They do exist, but they’re hard to come by,” she said.

Although the housing laws don’t relate to landlord-tenant exchanges with regard to rent payment, Marosy said the housing laws prohibit landlords from refusing housing vouchers as payment, adding he’s aware of that type of discrimination and that it’s little known in Colorado.

Landlords also cannot request a credit report on a tenant who uses housing vouchers under the law because a person with a voucher has already been financially vetted during the application process, Marosy said.

Consumers, landlords and property managers are advised to register for the forums by Wednesday morning. Those who need help registering can call 259-1672.

mhollinshead@durangoherald.com