National franchise brings more affordable housing options to Southern Colorado

(COLORADO) — A national franchise is expanding to Southern Colorado, with the goal of helping to increase affordable housing opportunities in our area, and a father-son-duo from the Centennial State is leading the charge.

Jeff Samuelson, Owner of Anchored Tiny Homes of the Rockies, who works alongside his son, Tate, recently expanded their business to include Colorado Springs and Monument. This comes just two months after Governor Jared Polis signed a new law allowing homeowners the freedom to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their property.

“The Governor is glad to see companies expanding in Colorado Springs and looks forward to seeing more Coloradans who choose to take advantage of this new freedom and way to lower costs,” Ally Sullivan, a spokesperson for the Governor’s office, told FOX21.

HB24-1152 officially went into effect on May 13, 2024, and the law, according to the Governor’s Office, applies to the following:

• All municipalities that are part of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), like Colorado Springs, with more than 1,000 people.
• Portions of counties that are both within a Census Designated Place with more than 40,000 residents and within an MPO.

“Under Governor Polis’ leadership, Colorado is making major progress to expand housing options Coloradans can afford, including cutting through red tape to give Coloradans the freedom to build Accessory Dwelling Units, on their property,” Sullivan said.

Also commonly referred to as mother-in-law flats or casitas, ADUs are different from tiny homes as they are built on the same property as single-family homes but are separate spaces. They are also becoming a popular option for younger or older family members to enjoy.

“62% of our builds are for aging parents,” explained Samuelson. “You know, you have parents you really love and care about and you don’t want to put them into an old folks home, well, we put a little ADU behind your house and they get to be in a really great home.”

The new legislation, as described by the Governor’s Office in a May press release, not only gives homeowners more options for building housing that they can afford but also cuts down on costly paperwork and delays.

“I think with rates where they are, a lot of people have had a need to maybe expand to a larger house and have been unable to afford it or are reluctant to leave their 3 or 4% rate to pay 7%,” Samuelson said. “So, we basically tie into the existing water, sewer, and electrical… to help keep costs down and we negotiate really good deals with general contractors,” Samuelson said.

Samuelson said they expanded to Colorado Springs about two weeks ago, and the response has been great but added that there are some restrictions when it comes to building ADUs in the City.

“The Springs currently only allows ‘granny flats’ on single-family-zoned lots,” he said. “They call them ‘granny flats’ because they are for aging parents, but you have to be connected to the house with a breezeway.”

While homeowners interested in building an ADU should follow their local permitting process , Samuelson hopes more options will become available in the future.

“Currently in the Springs, they don’t necessarily allow for separated ADUs, but in Denver, they do allow for that,” Samuelson continued. “We are really looking forward to the City being supportive of allowing that so we can do it more readily throughout Colorado Springs.”

FOX21 reached out to the City of Colorado Springs for comment on the new law and Lead Public Communications Specialist Max D’Onofrio, released the following statement:

“The City of Colorado Springs has historically allowed the construction of accessory structures, including ADUs. In 2020, the City Council adopted language that created more opportunities for ADUs in residential zone districts, largely focused on the provision of housing for aging-in-place and children returning home post-college. The City is currently reviewing HB24-1152 to better understand what amendments are necessary prior to the law’s June 30, 2025 effective date.”

In addition to Colorado Springs and Monument, Samuelson said Anchored Tiny Homes of the Rockies also includes most of the mountain regions like Vail, Aspen, Beaver Creek, and Winter Park, along with Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs.

“We are here trying to help this housing crisis, we are trying to help with affordability, and we are trying to give people options,” he said. “That’s kind of our passion, is being able to come out and find ways to help the people that are teaching our kids and keeping us safe; whether its firefighters, police officers, etc. that maybe don’t make the money to afford a $600,000 house, especially at 7% interest rates.”

Samuelson added that homeowners south of Colorado Springs can also reach out if they are interested via the website above or by email at: jeff.samuelson@anchoredtinyhomes.com.

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