Congress just passed a housing law that rewards states for reform — here’s why Colorado has a head start

Existing laws in Colorado reduce the administrative and regulatory costs of building new housing. Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

In Colorado, a full-time worker must earn US$36.44 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment without spending more than 30% of their income on rent, according to a recent report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

The state’s minimum wage is $15.16. Someone earning that would have to work 96 hours a week, more than two full-time jobs, to cover rent.