The Advocacy Corner

The Advocacy Corner | March 2026

At the heart of our mission is advocating for policies that protect and grow the real estate industry in Colorado. March is a great time to spotlight how the Realtors® Political Action Committee (RPAC) helps us amplify our voice and support the candidates who understand our business.

What is RPAC?

RPAC (Realtors® Political Action Committee) is how we help elect Realtor® Champions (i.e., candidates who understand and support real estate issues).

  • Voluntary contributions from Realtors® fund RPAC.
  • RPAC supports pro-real estate candidates at the local, state, and federal levels.
  • Once elected, these officials work with DMAR and other Realtor® associations to advance policies that protect your business.

How are RPAC funds used?

RPAC funds are carefully allocated to maximize impact:

  • Direct candidate support: Financial assistance goes to Realtor® Party Champions.
  • Education campaigns: Informing the public and elected officials about critical housing and real estate policies.
  • Local vs. national impact: 70% of your investment stays in Colorado to support local and state races and issues, while 30% goes to the National Association of Realtors® to influence Congress.
  • Realtor® Party Champions selection: Members of our Government Affairs Committee review questionnaires, conduct interviews and examine records to ensure candidates align with Realtor® priorities.
  • 100% of contributions are used to elect candidates who understand and support real estate issues.

By investing in RPAC, you help create a stronger business environment and ensure policies that protect property rights, housing availability and industry growth.

March Advocacy Updates

Here’s a quick overview of key policy initiatives and developments affecting real estate in our region this month. Understanding these policies helps real estate professioansl advocate effectively for clients, navigate regulatory changes and engage with local leaders. RPAC investments empower DMAR to influence these decisions, ensuring our members’ voices are heard and that the real estate industry continues to thrive in Colorado.

Denver Wholesaling

Denver City Council is considering new regulations aimed at cracking down on what they call "predatory home investing" by targeting investors who buy properties at low prices and quickly resell them for profit. The goal is to protect homeowners while ensuring a fair market for investment properties. Key elements of the proposed ordinance include:

  • Licensing requirement for wholesalers
  • No-solicitation list option for property owners
  • New disclosure and conduct standards

Please note that the language of the bill is still being finalized. The proposed draft includes an exemption for real estate brokers.

Lakewood Energy Benchmarking Program

Lakewood City Council unanimously adopted an energy benchmarking ordinance requiring owners of commercial, multi-family and public buildings 10,000 square feet or larger to track and report annual energy usage. Key details of the program include:

  • Sellers must provide energy data to prospective buyers
  • This program applies only to multifamily residential buildings that share HVAC or water heater systems and will be required to report energy usage
  • Phase 2 (planned for 2027) will focus on building performance programs to enhance efficiency and support a transition to cleaner energy sources

Visit Lakewood Benchmarking & Building Performance to learn more.

Westminster Housing Update

Westminster city staff reported to Council that the city currently has 2,822 income-restricted rental units. An additional 247-unit affordable housing project is currently under construction, with units expected to come online in early 2026. Despite these efforts, the city continues to face a significant shortage of affordable rental housing.

  • Income-restricted units: 2,822 units (247 under construction)
  • Recent initiatives: $300K ADU pilot, housing preservation programs, streamlined development review processes
  • Council discussions: Right of First Refusal for housing authorities, optional Concept Plan Reviews, Housing Trust Fund, and Predictable Development Assistance
  • These efforts aim to address ongoing rental shortages and support affordable housing development.

Wildfire Resiliency Code Update

Following 2023 state legislation, local governments in designated wildland-urban interface areas are required to adopt wildfire resiliency codes. Local governments across Colorado, including Jefferson County, are updating their local wildfire resilience codes to meet state standards. Jefferson County had its own wildfire code before the state mandate, but they updated it with:

  • Defensible Space: Enhanced tree crown spacing, removal of high-risk plants and adjustable spacing standards based on property-specific conditions
  • Structure Hardening: Ignition-resistant siding, roofing and flashing; vinyl siding and certain vent placements prohibited in higher-risk zones
  • Exemptions & Thresholds: Limited exemptions for small storage structures, maintaining strong standards for siding and roofing (25% threshold)

These updates help protect homes and neighborhoods from wildfire risk while promoting safer development practices.

 

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