The Advocacy Corner | May 2026

As we head into May, several key issues are shaping the future of real estate across Colorado, from environmental challenges to critical upcoming elections. At DMAR, advocacy means staying informed and engaged on the issues that directly impact your business, your clients and our communities.

May 1, 2026

Wildfires & Colorado’s Water Future

Colorado’s water supply depends on more than just snowpack. As our state faces another dry year, wildfires are emerging as a growing threat not only to forests but also to long-term water availability. The impact doesn’t end when the flames are out. Wildfires leave behind ash, sediment and debris that can contaminate rivers and reservoirs for years. Research shows these effects can linger for up to eight years, degrading water quality and increasing treatment costs for local communities. There’s also a long-term capacity issue. Sediment buildup reduces how much water reservoirs can store, meaning less supply during drought conditions. Over time, the cost of mitigation, whether through sediment removal or new infrastructure, may ultimately fall to ratepayers.

Protecting our watersheds is essential to protecting housing, development and affordability across the region. Continued investment in wildfire prevention, forest management and water infrastructure will be critical to ensuring a more resilient Colorado.

For more on this issue, click here.

Get Out the Vote: Local Decisions, Real Impact

Local elections play a major role in shaping the real estate landscape. Policies around zoning, housing supply, property taxes, water usage, and infrastructure are all decided at the local level and directly affect your day-to-day business. That’s why participation isn’t just civic, it’s professional.

Through advocacy efforts and support from the Realtors® Political Action Committee (RPAC), DMAR works to support candidates who understand housing accessibility, private property rights and a strong real estate market. But that work only goes so far without member participation.

Make a plan to vote:

Confirm your voter registration (You can verify your registration through the Colorado Secretary of State website and find voting details through your county’s election office.)
Review your local ballot and candidates
Vote early or on Election Day
Encourage your clients and colleagues to participate

Key Election Dates:

Coordinated Municipal & Special District Elections: May 5, 2026
Primary Election: June 30, 2026
General Election: November 3, 2026

Ballot Drop-Off & Voting Locations
Visit your county’s election page for the most accurate and up-to-date information on ballot drop boxes, Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPCs) and hours of operation.:

Ahead of the primaries, we’ll be sharing our election guide with all the details you need to stay informed, so be sure to keep an eye out. In the meantime, let’s make our voices heard!

RPAC Update: Where We Stand

Advocacy is powered by participation, and RPAC is a key part of that effort.

Raised to date: $41,625
Goal: $190,644
Participation: 21.77% (Goal: 37%)
Major Investors: 6 (Goal: 56)

We still have work to do to meet our 2026 goals. Every contribution helps strengthen our voice and ensures we can continue advocating for policies that protect the real estate industry.

Want to see how Colorado stacks up statewide? You can explore progress and participation through the RPAC fundraising dashboard here. Select Colorado and explore our statewide fundraising progress, participation rates and investment goals.

From protecting our water supply to shaping local policy, advocacy touches every aspect of real estate. Staying informed and engaged isn’t optional. It’s essential to protect your business and the future of our communities.