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Cold weather shelters are activated amongst below freezing temperatures Jack Dawson
Colorado AG and Justice Department adds large landlords to price-fixing suit
Colorado’s attorney general, along with the U.S. Justice Department and other state leaders, are accusing several large landlords of colluding to keep apartment rents high.
The antitrust lawsuit was initially filed last summer against real estate company RealPage Inc., for allegedly using an algorithm to fix rent prices. Now, state Attorney General Phil Weiser has added landlords Greystar, LivCor, Camden Property Trust, Cushman & Wakefield, Willow Bridge, and Cortland to the suit. All of them own or operate properties in Colorado, and are among the largest landlords in the country.
The suit accuses all listed landlords of feeding their data into RealPage’s pricing algorithm, and using the results to set and adjust their rental prices. It also alleges that the companies directly communicated about rents and occupancy rates in “user groups” organized by RealPage.
RealPage has denied allegations of price-fixing, and is seeking dismissal of the lawsuit. The Colorado Apartment Association has defended the algorithm as a tool used to help lower rents.
Littleton City Council postpones vote
Littleton City Council has postponed a vote that would allow for denser housing options. The decision comes after strong public pushback and a large turnout at last night’s council meeting.
The City Council voted 6-1 to indefinitely postpone the vote. The ordinance would have allowed the construction of “missing middle” housing in zoning districts that are currently mostly made up of single-family homes. The ordinance is part of the city’s effort to increase Littleton’s housing affordability and options.
Hundreds of people turned out to Tuesday’s meeting in opposition of the proposed changes. Critics told Denver7 that the changes are too sweeping, and that it would hurt the city’s character that attracted many to move there in the first place. Others argued that the changes would only allow for developers to build more expensive housing, which would add to the lack of affordable housing available in the area.
Another point in the opposition said that the changes were originally discussed in later 2023, and communication had been lacking since many residents did not become aware of the changes until late 2024.
While the City Council said at the meeting that they support a postponement of the vote, they still think changes are necessary to add housing options.
Colorado’s 2025 legislative session starts
Colorado lawmakers will kickstart the state’s 2025 legislative session today, which will last 120 days.
Each Coloradan is represented by one state representative and one state senator.
There are a total of 35 members of the Senate and 65 members of the House.
To find out who represents you, head to leg.colorado.gov/FindMyLegislator.
The Colorado Capitol – where legislative hearings are held – is open to the public.
KGNU will keep you updated as bills and other legal decisions are made during this year’s session.
US Postal Service to suspend service
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will not deliver mail to Colorado residents tomorrow.
USPS is suspending its regular mail delivery to honor former President Jimmy Carter on the national day of observance of his life and legacy. Carter’s funeral will be held at the National Cathedral.
The Postal Service says it plans to continue limited package delivery though all public facilities will remain closed in observance. Self-serve kiosks will be available at certain post offices. Employees will not be paid for the day unless they are unionized and have a prior agreement.
The Postal Service will require all U.S. flags to fly half-staff through sunset on January 29th to honor Carter.
Carter served as America’s 39th president and passed away at age 100 on December 29th.
Temperatures drop, Denver activates cold weather shelters
With temperatures dropping into the single digits this morning, the City and County of Denver has activated their Cold Weather Shelters plan. The Department of Housing Stability will provide extra shelter up until 11 am Monday, January 13.
Individual men can head to the Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center at 2222 Lawrence St.
Individual women can shelter at Samaritan House, at 2301 Lawrence St.
Youth ages 15-20 can go to Urban Peak at 1630 S. Acoma St.
And families in need of shelter should call the Connection Center at 303-295-3366.
