Chris Gulick, a senior at the University of Colorado, set out to find rent for between $600 and $750 when he moved off campus his sophomore year.
He’s been able to stick within that price range for the last three years, but he’s had to take out sizeable student loans to cover tuition and housing.
And he’s always lived with roommates.
“It’s definitely easier to find something more affordable with more people,” said Gulick, who’s studying English and philosophy.
To combat the rising costs of rent and tuition, CU Student Government leaders are calling on the Boulder City Council to revisit occupancy limits, which in most cases prevent more than three or four unrelated people from living together.
Tony Bricca, a senior and co-senator from the College of Arts and Sciences, wrote the resolution, and said allowing more than three or four people to live together would cut down on living expenses for CU students, faculty members and employees.
Many are forced to live in Boulder’s suburbs, Bricca said, which can make getting to classes or work — or campus amenities such as the library or recreation center — more challenging.
“I’m amazed at how many people this impacts on the CU campus,” he said.
CU’s Legislative Council is expected to pass the resolution Thursday.
In most cases, Boulder housing code prohibits households of more than three or four unrelated people, depending on the type of dwelling and zone.
Jay Sugnet, the newly hired project manager for Boulder’s comprehensive housing strategy, said most cities, including Boulder, implement occupancy limits to protect the health and safety of residents, and the quality and character of neighborhoods.
Boulder has been considering how to address the lack of affordable housing for middle-income residents as part of a comprehensive housing strategy it initiated last year.
In January, the city surveyed residents and nonresidents to find out why they do or don’t live within city limits.
Sugnet said the city is looking into occupancy limits as a way to create more affordable housing options.
“We have a list of tools, and occupancy limits is on there,” he said.
An open house is scheduled for May 12, and the City Council is expected to discuss housing during a study session May 27, Sugnet said.
Some residents have also been advocating for change to the city codes that govern cooperative housing options, or co-ops. One way to do that, said CU student Carson Hughes, is to eliminate or change occupancy limits.
Hughes said he looked into living in a co-op but wasn’t able to because there were so few in Boulder.
Many cooperative dwellings are permitted under Boulder’s boarding house code. Some co-ops simply exist illegally.
City officials say there are no dwellings now permitted under the cooperative housing ordinance, which requires residents to have an ownership stake in the dwelling.
In response to calls for changing the occupancy limit, some Boulder residents have told the City Council to move carefully, or keep current occupancy limits to prevent overcrowding, excess trash and noise.
No matter how many people actually live together, Gulick said, people will still congregate.
“It seems like, for whatever reason, they think having less people will cut down on partying, and I don’t get it,” Gulick said.
He said many landlords and rental companies disregard the occupancy limit regulations anyway. Gulick said he’s heard of landlords who don’t care how many people live in one dwelling, as long as rent gets paid on time.
Bricca, who authored the student government resolution, said if Boulder lifted or revised its occupancy limits, there are ways to combat problems such as noise or excessive trash.
“Knowing your neighbors is a really good way,” he said. “Have those conversations about what’s acceptable or not.”
Contact Camera Staff Writer Sarah Kuta at 303-473-1106 or kutas@dailycamera.com.
