The Developer's Toolkit: December 2026 in Thornton, CO

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs' Division of Housing invites you to a two-day workshop to introduce you to the process of affordable housing development. The Developer's Toolkit is an engaging in-person training that will be held December 15 and 16, 2026 in Thornton. The class will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

This course teaches core principles of the affordable housing development process to solve a housing challenge facing a typical Colorado town. Through a series of activities, participants work in teams and assume roles of development team members to carry out the fundamental steps to develop an affordable rental housing community. Beginning with the formation of a development team, the class progresses to select a site for development, define their community’s housing needs and procure project specialists. On day two, we evaluate financial feasibility using a budget spreadsheet and navigate the municipal approval process with the assistance of real-life development professionals playing the roles of a mock planning commission that reviews and provides feedback on the proposed development project.

The Developer’s Toolkit is geared toward individuals new to affordable housing who work with nonprofits, housing authorities, local governments, or and for-profit development organizations.

YOU WILL LEARN:

• The process for developing cost-effective, high-quality housing
• How to select third-party subject matter experts
• Real estate and finance terminology
• Cost-containment techniques
• Strategies for negotiating with development team and community players

PLEASE NOTE:

• The course is open to 24 participants
• The training format requires attendance and participation on both days
• All course materials will be online; please bring your personal laptop to class
• Also, please bring a refillable water bottle and coffee mug to minimize waste

Contact:

Pamm Gibson, Training Lead

State of Colorado Division of Housing

pamela.gibson@state.co.us

720-682-5243

Photo: Crossing Pointe South Apartments - Maiker Housing Partners