Colorado bill to allow lot splitting advances as Boulder seeks exemptions
The Boulder City Council on Thursday directed city lobbyists to seek amendments to a bill that would require cities in Colorado to allow homeowners to split a single residential lot into two lots. Supporters of the bill seek to increase housing density and expand the supply of smaller homes.
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Under the bill, HB26-1308, neither new lot could be smaller than 1,200 square feet, and the smaller lot must be at least 30% of the original lot’s size. Even so, the change would allow homes on lots smaller than the 7,000-square-foot minimum in Boulder’s low-density residential zones. In early 2025, Boulder City Council eased lot size restrictions to make it easier to build duplexes or triplexes, particularly near bus lines.
The council is seeking amendments to exempt properties in wildfire-prone areas and flood zones. Councilmembers also want a broader exemption for Boulder as a whole, citing the city’s existing policies that already allow greater density near transit corridors.
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All of Boulder’s state legislators support the bill — including Sen. Judy Amabile, a lead sponsor, and Reps. Lesley Smith and Junie Joseph. The bill would take effect in 2028.
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