HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPCHA Proposed Policy Changes 04.08.2026
April 8th, 2026
Re: Concerns Regarding APCHA’s Proposed Housing Eligibility Policy Changes
On behalf of the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners, I am writing to express our concerns
regarding the Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority’s proposed policy to disallow individuals listed as
tier 2 and tier 3 sex offenders from residing in deed-restricted housing units.
We appreciate the intent behind this proposal and recognize the importance of ensuring community safety.
However, we believe the policy, as currently contemplated, raises several significant concerns that merit
further discussion and careful consideration. These concerns ultimately informed our dissenting vote on the
first reading of the resolution at the recent APCHA meeting.
First, the proposal appears to focus exclusively on one category of criminal history, without consideration of
other types of offenses. This raises questions about consistency and fairness in how eligibility standards are
applied across different populations.
We are also mindful that the judicial system, while essential, is not infallible. Historical errors and
inconsistencies underscore the importance of exercising caution when implementing policies that may have
long-term consequences for individuals’ access to housing.
From an administrative standpoint, the policy may prove difficult to implement. Questions remain regarding
the ability of background checks to single out the information in question, and how additional unrelated
personal information would be used, managed, and protected. It is still unknown what burdens this
requirement would place on APCHA staff, and the cost of $30 per inquiry would be a further burden on
residents and applicants paying for these checks - Historically the APCHA Board has been sensitive to
cost-burdening applicants. These factors suggest the policy could be not only burdensome to administer
effectively, but burdensome for residents/applicants.
We are also concerned about potential legal and implementation risks. It is unclear what unintended
consequences may arise, including whether or not the policy change will be retroactive to existing residents,
if there will be increased exposure to legal challenges, and if there is greater potential for inconsistencies in
enforcement.
Furthermore, the accuracy and reliability of the databases used to make such determinations should be
carefully evaluated. Decisions of this magnitude require a high degree of confidence in the underlying data,
and any gaps or inaccuracies could result in unintended harm.
Finally, we encourage a broader discussion about how such a policy could be applied in a reasonable,
equitable, and legally sound manner. Identifying potential blind spots and unintended impacts will be
critical to ensuring that any adopted approach aligns with community values and withstands scrutiny.
Pitkin County | 530 E. Main Street | Aspen, CO 81611 | 970-920-5200
We respectfully request that these concerns be taken into account and that additional stakeholder
engagement occur before moving forward. The Board remains committed to working collaboratively to
support policies that balance public safety with fairness, practicality, and compassion.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey H. Woodruff
Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners, Board Chair
Pitkin County | 530 E. Main Street | Aspen, CO 81611 | 970-920-5200