Zoning Changes: Colorado Government Corruption
- DENVER YIMBYs for GOOD
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
The question of whether Governor Jared Polis and other members of our state and city governments are personally profiting from state-level zoning changes by selling investment properties is a subject of ongoing political scrutiny and public debate, with no official finding of wrongdoing yet... however, it certainly seems feasible:
This aerial shows the location of the property at Walnut and 38th St. Source: Boulder County Assessor’s records.
Allegations of Conflict of Interest
Legislative Push: Governor Polis has been a major proponent of a legislative agenda to encourage denser, more affordable housing development by overriding local zoning rules, including the elimination of certain parking requirements and promoting accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Vast Real Estate Holdings: Polis, as one of the wealthiest members of the Colorado government, has a substantial real estate portfolio managed through various LLCs. Critics, notably former state Senator Jerry Sonnenberg in 2022, have alleged that the Governor's official actions could be a conflict of interest, potentially increasing the value of his own land. Surprise, surprise.
Lack of Blind Trust: A key part of the criticism stems from the fact that Polis did not place his business interests into a blind trust as he had initially indicated during his campaign, and unlike his predecessor, former Governor John Hickenlooper.
Official Inquiries
In September 2022, a request for a legislative audit into Polis's personal business interests was made, but the bipartisan Legislative Audit Committee voted along party lines to refuse the inquiry.
There has been no official government finding that Polis used his office for direct financial gain related to real estate sales or the December 2025 transaction specifically.
Governor's Stance and the Law
Polis has consistently argued that increasing the housing supply is a common-sense, "free market" approach to tackling the state's housing affordability crisis, a goal he views as separate from his personal investments. However, when zoning is changed, and then he sells off land that had may have had zoning changes that benefit development, that certainly seems like corruption.
A commercial property in Boulder formerly owned by members of the Polis family was sold to Conscience Bay Co., a Boulder-based real estate investment firm, in late 2025. The property is located near Walnut Street and 38th Street in Boulder and is in an area where the city has pursued higher-density, mixed‑use and employment-oriented development over multiple years, consistent with broader planning and zoning trends in that corridor.
The corruption is not just at the state level.
In Denver, members of our Denver government and city council have also been going against the resident's wishes and passing zoning changes without our approval throughout our neighborhoods.
The East Area plan that Denver City Council adopted in October 2020 without resident consent has paved the way to the complete destruction of Colfax, one of the most interesting stretches in Denver that is filled with small independent businesses and surrounded by quiet neighborhoods that are among the most affordable in the area. Thousands of residents opposed the East Area Plan, but the City Council disregarding their feedback and passed it during the pandemic, while we were all distracted. Evil geniuses.
Resident groups in East Colfax, Hale, Montclair, and South Park Hill have documented objections that the plans prioritize citywide growth goals and developer interests instead of residents’ preference for slower change and stronger protections for small businesses and lower‑income tenants.
Now, Colfax BRT construction is causing significant problems for nearby neighborhoods, especially for small businesses and people who frequent or live along the corridor. Increased traffic, noise and air pollution ails the neighboring residents, while many business owners report revenue drops of 20% or more as customers avoid Colfax due to lane closures, barriers, and confusion about access.
Small businesses are closing due to the BRT construction: All the restaurants and businesses are struggling due to the BRT, including Shish Kabob Grill, Bourbon Grill, Pete’s Kitchen, Walgreens, barbershops, small retail shops, and more. It seems like the idea is to get all the small businesses to close up shop so that investors can sell properties and build, baby build. It's not about us at all, it's about money. Some long‑time spots like Middleman/Misfit Snack Bar and Colfax and Cream have closed during construction, GB Fish & Chips has closed its East Colfax just prior to the BRT construction, the Dollar store was demolished to build a giant, towering apartment building, and many other businesses like barbershops and restaurants have resorted to crowdfunding and emergency grants to stay open.
BRT is also making it harder for all of us who not in cars! BRT is wreaking havoc on Colfax, here's a former safe bike and pedestrian crossing that has been replaced with a porta-potty, tons of diesel pollution exhausting heavy machinery, graffiti tagged concrete barriers and a massive hole dug down the center, see before and after photos below:
Safe crossing at Kearney and Colfax, shown before BRT, above.
The former safe crossing at Colfax and Kearney, above has been destroyed by the BRT crew – this is where the "bike lane" has been established for our neighborhood. We are now forced to cross at the next intersection a block up, where it is a confusing mess of construction, turning cars, and speeding and honking people who are frustrated by the traffic.
Here are some more contrast photos to show you how our city is "improving" pedestrian and bike access on Colfax:
Thanks to the BRT, they have removed our former safe crossings, and are forcing us now now have to cross at the dangerous busy intersection at Krameria and Colfax, walking or riding a bike among tons of frustrated drivers and traffic and debris.
We're curious, how many government officials own investment properties along this corridor?
Unfortunately, property records are generally public at the county level, but they do not systematically flag whether an owner is a “government official,” nor do they reliably reveal beneficial ownership when properties are held in LLCs or trusts. Ethics and disclosure laws may require some officials to report outside interests, but those filings are fragmented and are not overseen, may not be fully public online, and are not cross‑referenced automatically with every parcel along the corridor.
Bottom line: the zoning changes to allow for more "Density" and all this construction isn't about helping residents have a better quality of life, it's are about padding government officials', developers' and investors' pockets.
Anyone who believes that the government is changing our zoning against our wishes and plowing through our streets and neighborhoods is doing it to help create affordable housing and easier transit is being conned. This isn't about affordable housing, it's not about reducing pollution or making transit easier, it's about padding their pockets while overtaxing our infrastructure and residents with increased density, more polluting traffic, energy demand, water demand, unaffordably higher taxes, and pollution. The new apartments they are building are not going to be affordable as the investors and developers always promise, but they will make these rich people even richer. Shame on our State and City government for lying to us all for money.
