Study says robust policy package could yield 30% fewer emissions from Colorado’s buildings
A new study commissioned by a trio of state agencies finds that greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado’s heavily populated areas along the Front Range and in some rural resort communities can be reduced substantially by increasing density and locating that density along transportation corridors.
The study by ECOnorthwest, a consultant, examined three potential residential growth scenarios for areas where the State Demography Office projects 98% of Colorado’s population growth will occur in the years leading to 2050.
Adoption of policies that encourage more compact housing within cities would significantly impact the type and location of new housing in ways that reduce greenhouse gas pollution associated with new development, both from buildings and transportation.
State legislators in 2024 adopted some of these measures, but more can be done. This more robust policy package has the potential to reduce building emissions associated with new development by 30% and transportation emissions by nearly 15%.
“Colorado is facing a large housing supply deficit today and anticipating significant future growth,” said Will Toor, the executive director of CEO. “By enacting policies that encourage growth near transit and in infill areas, the state can significantly lower the emissions of new development compared to the status quo. This report both quantifies the impact of legislation already enacted and provides analysis of potential future actions.”
To read the study yourself, go here.
Photo above is from Olde Town Arvada, where high-density housing is rising near a G-line commuter rail station.
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My only problem with all this is that most “transit corridors” are busy roads or highways which happen to have a frequent bus route. These are polluted by diesel fumes, tire particulates, extreme noise and excessive lighting. So I’m not thrilled with the idea of putting lots of units “along” these, if “along” means right up next to, which is happening here. I worked in L. A. in the early ’90s a bit and there was often a row of apartments lining the boulevards, with single family suburbia beyond. So this doesn’t seem too new. I think we need a bit more creative planning, sort of new towns or centers that can access the transit corridors but maybe not pushed up next to them. Less parking is always a win though.