October 21, 2026 · The Drake Centre

Northern Colorado Affordable Housing Summit

Name: Northern Colorado Affordable Housing Summit
Start: 2026-10-21T08:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-10-21T12:00:00-06:00
Location: The Drake Centre

A morning of panels with regional leaders and business owners on what is in store for this pivotal Colorado submarket.

Countdown to the event

11 Days

23 Hours

17 Minutes

11 Seconds

Presenting Sponsors

Date: October 21, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – noon Program
Venue: The Drake Centre

802 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Working Together on Northern Colorado's Housing Challenge

The Northern Colorado Affordable Housing Summit brings the private and public sectors into one room: developers and builders, elected officials, city staff and community members. It is a working session, built to name the obstacles facing our communities and workforce and to leave with actionable solutions and new partnerships.

Attendees at the 2024 Northern Colorado Affordable Housing Summit

Who attends

Developers, Elected Officials and Community Leaders in One Room

The summit gathers real estate developers, government officials and community members for a morning of panels, seeking actionable solutions and forging partnerships that will shape the future of affordable housing in our region.

The program

From the National Outlook to Local Solutions

The morning opens with a data-based look at the national economy and home-building market, narrows to what it costs to build a home in Colorado, then turns to two panels of regional leaders: first the problem (fees, delays and water), then the solution (public and private collaboration).

See the agenda

This event is free to all elected officials.

8:25 – 8:30 a.m.

Introductions and Overview
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Setting the Stage: A National Housing Outlook

A data-based look at the economy and the home-building market, including inflation, interest rates and the outlook for housing affordability, with a focus on the supply side of residential construction.

Dr. Robert Dietz, chief economist, National Association of Home Builders
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Regional Outlook: The Cost of Homebuilding in Colorado

The Common Sense Institute’s latest report on how Colorado’s regulatory environment affects the price of new homes, including permit fees, use tax, impact fees, tap fees and dedication requirements.

DJ Summers, director of communications and research operations, Common Sense Institute
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Part 1 — The Problem: Fees, Delays and Water

The first of a two-part series: why has housing become unattainable, and what can we do as a community to address it?

Moderator: Joe Rowan. Panelists: Lori Schwarz, Deputy Director/Planning, City of Fort Collins; Russell Baker, principal, Black Timber Builders; Mike Welty, vice president, Landmark Homes; Kyle George, director of business development, EPS Group.
11:00 a.m. – Noon

Part 2 — The Solution: Public and Private Collaboration

What are we doing to address the problems, and what do we need to see more of?

Moderator: Kristin Todd, president and CEO, NoCo Foundation. Panelists: Robert Paulsen, development services director, City of Loveland; Deb Callies, director of housing, City of Greeley; Andy Smith, redevelopment manager, City of Fort Collins; Steve Byers, CEO, EnergyLogic.