HB23-1120 is a commonsense approach to housing

The connection between eviction and homelessness is well-established, and as demonstrated by the thousands of people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Colorado, it is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. House Bill 23-1120 intends to address this issue in a way that, while not infringing on the rights of landowners, could still make an incalculable difference in the lives of many less fortunate Coloradans.

Neutral mediation is a principle that this country was founded on and a right that everyone must be entitled to. Anything less is an act of imposing one’s will on another. A landowner has the right to deny service to a tenant who violates the terms of their contract, but it is crucial that the renter has the power to object to a decision that they believe to be unfair. To those of us with fewer options or resources available to us, this could mean the difference between having a roof over our heads or not.

Besides being a massive American tragedy, homelessness is a huge burden on the state and on the taxpayer.

This combined with the clear link between homelessness and joblessness makes keeping Coloradans housed in everyone’s best interests. The time and effort to find a mutually beneficial solution to issues between renters and landowners is worth potentially millions that can be invested into our great state and its future.

In conclusion, HB23-1120 is a common-sense approach that would yield the best possible outcome for everyone involved. Every step we make towards a more equitable and diplomatic future is a worthwhile one, and an investment into a better tomorrow. For these reasons, I urge the governor to sign this bill and make Colorado a little more just for all of us.

— Vincent Verheij, Evergreen