DENVER - On March 6, 2025, Governor Polis will attend Denver’s first ever Single Stair Housing competition. Designs will be judged on how they use Single-Stair, or Smart-Stair apartments, to create more housing people can afford, while enhancing the walkability and liveability of neighborhoods. Governor Polis called for Smart Stair reform in his 2025 State of the State address and will join Denver’s first Single-Stair Housing Challenge Awards, a competition of single stair apartment designs that use this strategy to increase housing options Coloradans can afford while enhancing walkability and liveability in our neighborhoods. The event begins tonight at 5 pm MT and will be held at 1550, Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202.

Pew Research shows that Single-Stairway Apartments, also known as Smart-Stair, have a strong safety record and produce lower-cost homes. Governor Polis called for smart stair reform in his 2025 State of the State address, to increase the supply of housing people can afford in the neighborhoods where people want to live.

“In Colorado we continue to lead the way to create more housing people can afford where we want to live. The cost of housing is a top concern for hardworking Coloradans. We know that city block sized apartments alone will not solve the housing shortage, and that is why we are removing government barriers to empower builders to build homes people can afford that fit in our neighborhoods,” said Governor Polis.

Smart Stair buildings, residential buildings of 5 stories or less served by a single stairwell, take up less space, cost less to build, create more 2-4 bedroom units for families, and are safe for residents. Adding a single additional stairwell can increase building costs by 6-13%. Single Stair Apartments increase natural light for residents, can reduce cooling costs by up to 80%, and significantly reduce the distance between each resident and the closest exit.

HB25-1273, Residential Building Stair Modernization, sponsored by Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Steven Woodrow, and Senators Matt Ball and Nick Hinrichsen, would allow Smart Stair buildings to be built in Colorado, increasing housing Coloradans can afford, and empowering builders to build homes Coloradans can afford that fit in the neighborhoods where people want to live.

“Expensive land costs are a huge barrier to building housing, and if we want to effectively address the housing crisis, we have to be strategic about how we utilize the space we have available to build housing that people can afford. From sprinkler systems to fire-hardened building materials, we have more tools at our disposal to protect Coloradans from building fires without requiring more than one stairwell in smaller complexes. I’m excited to work alongside my fellow bill sponsors and Gov. Polis on legislation that would modernize Colorado building codes to build more safe housing options that hardworking Coloradans can afford,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins.

“This PEW study confirms what we knew as we crafted this legislation - we can create more housing at a price Coloradans can afford while keeping our communities safe. Colorado Democrats have taken a multi-pronged approach to make housing more affordable, including the transit-oriented communities policy I sponsored last year that encourages local governments to build high-density housing near transit hubs, job centers, retail, and restaurants. Our recently introduced bill would build on this work by allowing small- and medium-sized apartment complexes to build one stairwell, making room for more units in price ranges that hardworking Coloradans can afford,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver.

“Single-stair buildings are a safe and practical solution that make it far easier to build family-sized apartments,” said Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1273. “The Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge proves that, in addition to their safety and efficiency, single-stair buildings can be impressive architectural additions to our neighborhoods. I’m proud to sponsor legislation that modernizes our building codes and positions Colorado at the forefront of innovative solutions to our housing crisis."

“Colorado is facing a housing crisis and we must explore every option to build more homes that families can afford,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB25-1273. “Modernizing outdated building codes to allow for single-stair apartment buildings is a simple and effective solution that will open up opportunities to build more affordable housing and revitalize our neighborhoods. This legislation is a critical way that we can increase housing supply, drive down costs, and ensure that every Coloradan has a safe, affordable place to call home.”