Kudos are due to the town of Silverton for being the first jurisdiction statewide to fulfill its Proposition 123 commitment a year ahead of the deadline (Herald, Jan. 14). That feat is a perfect example of goals that can be achieved through community engagement, careful planning, and the strategic use of tax dollars.
Prop. 123 is an initiative that the Legislature passed in 2022 to address Colorado’s housing crisis by dedicating approximately $300 million annually toward affordable housing development.
Sitting at 9,318 feet in elevation with a population of 724 residents, Silverton added 10 affordable homes – a 10% increase that earned an additional $50,000 bonus from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. The town also implemented expedited review processes through land use code amendments, hired a dedicated housing director, and leveraged state grants and strong community support.
La Plata County is following a similar path to meet its Prop. 123 commitments outlined in the county’s Housing Needs Assessment. Under Prop. 123, La Plata County committed to increasing affordable housing by 9% over three years – a goal of 715 new units and 120 preserved units. As of 2024, the county has achieved 603 new units and 192 preserved units through effective public-private partnerships that bring together nonprofits, government entities, and private developers. Updated 2025 figures are not yet available.
To date, Bayfield, Ignacio and Durango have all met their numerical targets. La Plata County will meet its targets based on the combined achievements of these three municipalities.
Throughout La Plata County, Prop. 123 dollars have supported projects like Rock Creek in Ignacio, as well as down payment assistance programs, land-use code improvements with government partners and homelessness services. The county is also actively working to streamline its land-use code to make affordable housing development more efficient (Herald, Jan. 18) – critical work that supports Prop. 123’s goals.
The Economic Development Alliance, which stood up the Regional Housing Alliance for the past three years, deserves recognition for its strategic deployment of resources through the Housing Catalyst Fund for pre-development work and the Revolving Loan Fund supporting workforce housing.
Silverton proved what’s possible when communities prioritize workforce housing. As La Plata County completes its own commitment, this mountain town's achievement serves as an inspiring road map for Colorado.
