Smart growth and housing policies are key parts of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project's (SWEEP) mission, as where and how we build homes directly impacts transportation efficiency and costs, energy use, and climate emissions.
We do this by developing and providing resources for pro-housing advocates and policymakers, serving as a central organizing hub for local advocates, and assisting in designing, passing, and implementing environmentally-friendly housing and land use reforms across the Southwest states.
Areas of focus
Advocacy, education, and more
Public advocacy
We work with lawmakers, city councils, and local governments to develop policies that create more housing options, reduce costs, and promote sustainable urban growth.
Public education
We provide data-driven research, policy guides, and educational materials to inform the public and policymakers about the housing crisis and solutions.
Community organizing
We support local pro-housing groups working to advance housing policies in their communities.
Implementation support
We ensure that recently passed state housing laws are put into action, providing guidance to local leaders and communities while also looking ahead to additional pro-housing policies.
Housing Forward Colorado
Housing Forward Colorado is a pro-housing and smart land use advocacy initiative working to address Colorado’s housing affordability crisis and promote more efficient and climate-friendly growth.
Reports and publications
What housing do we actually need? Insights from Colorado’s new Housing Needs Assessments – June 26, 2026
Affordable for Whom? The Price of New Market Rate Housing – May 28, 2026
How lot size flexibility can lower housing costs in Colorado – April 13, 2026
Low-turnout special election rolls back Lakewood zoning reform – April 9, 2026
Colorado at a crossroads: Why smart growth beats sprawl – January 13, 2026
From Growth Caps Toward Housing Abundance: Lakewood’s Zoning Overhaul to Legalize Middle Housing – November 18, 2025
Denver’s Housing Construction Boom Has Reduced Rents, Especially for Lower-Income Renters – November 5, 2025
Five ways smart land use policies tackle climate change in Colorado – October 16, 2025
Untapped Potential of RTD’s Neighborhood EcoPass – August 27, 2025
Colorado Land Use Progress Report – August 2025 – July 10, 2025
Expanding Housing Choices in Colorado: Lessons from Portland’s Middle Housing Reforms – June 16, 2025
Parking reform: More housing and businesses at lower cost, and still, plenty of parking – April 16, 2025
Unpacking Lakewood’s Housing Affordability Crisis – April 9, 2025
Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities (HB24-1313) – July 2, 2024
Climate-friendly land use: Why housing policy is key to Colorado’s sustainable and equitable future – February 21, 2023
Smart land use: The untapped climate policy – June 1, 2022
Support our work
Supporting SWEEP’s Smart Growth Program helps us develop and advance regional solutions at the intersection of housing, transportation, and climate. Addressing state housing shortages requires action at both the state and local levels, and we are proud to have helped shape statewide policies that we are now working to implement in partnership with local governments and community organizations.
