Boulder County Rejects All Housing Innovation Fund Applicants

Will provide new funding recommendations later this month

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Boulder County Commissioners rejected all 14 applications it received for the $500,000 Housing Innovation Fund. Staff had originally recommended funding 9 projects totaling $498,000, but later issued rejection letters to all applicants. The county will now make new recommendations on how to reallocate the 2026 fund and consider changes to the goals, criteria, and application process for future funding cycles.

Why it matters

The Housing Innovation Fund was developed to encourage affordable, stable, and accessible housing projects in Boulder County, with a focus on reducing racial disparities. The county's decision to reject all applicants this cycle highlights challenges in allocating these funds effectively.

The details

The county was seeking projects from nonprofits that would reduce racial disparities, enable community partnerships, and develop new housing funding and building models. However, staff ultimately recommended no awards be made this cycle, citing a need to re-evaluate the fund's goals and application process.

  • The county commissioners rejected the applications in March 2026.
  • Staff will make new funding recommendations by the end of March 2026.

The players

Boulder County Commissioners

The elected governing body of Boulder County, Colorado that oversees the Housing Innovation Fund.

Susana Lopez-Baker

Executive Director of the Boulder County Housing Authority, who addressed the commissioners with an update on the fund.

Alfred Fraijo Jr.

Founder of Somos Group, a consulting firm that provided a report to the county on racial disparities in home ownership.

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What they’re saying

“It is important to take a holistic, historical approach to building an equity-based business that benefits those who have been systematically disadvantaged in efforts to create generational wealth.”

— Alfred Fraijo Jr., Founder, Somos Group (LinkedIn)

“Boulder County faces significant racial disparities in home ownership particularly with hispanic/latino and black/african american community. The county's current programs throughout the community do require some level of legal status, likely due to federal funding. Local dollars could really be impactful in that area.”

— Susana Lopez-Baker, Executive Director, Boulder County Housing Authority (County Commissioners Meeting)

What’s next

The county commissioner staff will make new recommendations about how to reallocate the 2026 Housing Innovation Fund dollars and consider changes to the goals, criteria, and application process for future funding cycles.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the challenges Boulder County faces in effectively allocating affordable housing funds to address racial disparities in home ownership. The county will need to carefully re-evaluate the program's goals and application process to ensure the funds have maximum impact in the community.