Housing Near Transit: What You Need to Know

The City of Fort Collins is designating "Transit Centers" to comply with a new state law — House Bill 24-1313: Housing in Transit Oriented Communities (TOC).

What's a Transit Center?

Here's how the City of Fort Collins and the state of Colorado define "Transit Center:"

• The City's definition: A transportation hub where multiple bus routes meet.
• The state's definition (HB24-1313): A designated area near frequent transit service where denser housing is allowed to support statewide housing goals.

What Does Transit Center Designation Mean for My Property?

State law requires Transit Centers to allow at least 15 dwelling units per acre. At that density, multifamily housing — such as apartments or condominiums — is typically required rather than single-family homes or townhomes. Properties in Fort Collins' proposed Transit Centers are already zoned to meet or exceed this requirement.

Faster permitting: Under the new law, multifamily projects on less than five acres will be reviewed administratively by City staff — no public hearings required. This means a faster, more predictable process.

Potential funding: Transit Center designation may make properties eligible for state funding, including infrastructure grants and affordable housing programs.

Why Is the City Doing This?

In 2024, the Colorado General Assembly passed HB24-1313 to encourage more housing near high-frequency transit routes. As a subject jurisdiction, Fort Collins is required to:

• Designate Transit Centers within state-identified Transit Areas
• Ensure zoning in those areas meets state density standards
• Demonstrate that local regulations allow enough housing to support transit use

Where Will Transit Centers Be Located?

Transit Centers must be within or near state-designated Transit Areas along existing or planned high-frequency transit routes.

Initial phase — areas already in the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay Zone

The first Transit Centers will be designated in areas that already meet density requirements and are primarily commercial, mixed-use, employment, or downtown districts. These include areas along:

• The MAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor
• Corridors near the Colorado State University (CSU) campus (College Avenue, Lake Street and West Elizabeth)
• Zone districts in these areas include General Commercial (CG), Community Commercial (CC), Employment (E), High Density Mixed-Use Neighborhood (HMN) and Downtown (D).

Additional areas

City Council has directed staff to designate additional Transit Centers outside the current TOD Overlay by the end of 2026. These areas will include portions of:

• North College Corridor
• Centre Avenue
• Harmony Road
• Old Town High (OT-C) Areas near CSU and Downtown

A map of all proposed Transit Centers — both inside and outside the TOD — is available on the project website.

What Happens Next?

• Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing: March 25, 2026
• City Council First Reading: April 7, 2026
• Land Use Code changes for areas outside the TOD: Later in 2026 (not yet scheduled)

The Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the proposed Land Use Code changes and make a recommendation to City Council. City Council will then vote on the changes. Updates for areas outside the TOD are expected later in 2026.

Questions?

Contact Planning staff at planning@fortcollins.gov or visit the project website at ourcity.fcgov.com/land-use-code-phase-2.