We’re proud to share that the Ouray Regional partnership, including the Town of Ridgway, City of Ouray, Ouray County, and Home Trust of Ouray County, has successfully completed the 25 affordable housing unit commitments required under Proposition 123 for the initial 2023–2026 compliance cycle nearly one year ahead of schedule.
This marks the first regional approach of its kind in Colorado, demonstrating the power of intergovernmental collaboration in rural communities.
What This Means
Approved by Colorado voters in 2022, Proposition 123 created new funding for affordable housing through the State Affordable Housing Fund. In order to access these resources, local governments were required to commit to increasing affordable housing units by 3% annually and adopt expedited review processes for qualifying projects.
Through a formal Intergovernmental Agreement signed in August 2023, the three jurisdictions pooled their housing inventory and growth targets to create a coordinated regional strategy. Together, they committed to:
- Town of Ridgway – 10 units
- City of Ouray – 9 units
- Ouray County – 6 units
- Total 25 units
On February 2, 2026, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs formally confirmed that the region met its required unit count as of January 30, 2026.
Why It Matters
Housing challenges in rural communities don’t stop at jurisdictional boundaries. By working together, our local governments created a practical and effective path forward, one that strengthens our local workforce, supports a vibrant year-round economy, and positions our region to access critical state housing resources.
This achievement reflects strong leadership, thoughtful planning, and a shared commitment to ensuring that Ouray County remains a place where residents and workers can afford to live. We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort and grateful to you for supporting the work that makes milestones like this possible.
Full Press Release: Prop 123 Ouray Regional Unit Count PressRelease_02.23.26 FINAL