A Colorado city put a cap on new housing – and proved why it doesn’t work

The experiences of cities in California and Colorado suggest that growth caps don't work to make cost of living more affordable - but other mechanisms can

In 2017, Stephanie Deveaux noticed her city and neighborhood were changing. Lying on Denver's western outskirts, Lakewood was known for its spacious single-family homes, good public schools, pristine parks and Rocky Mountain views. But many of the things that made Lakewood so livable seemed under threat.

All these multiunit dwellings [were] starting to be developed," she said, referring to the boxy, ultramodern and monotone buildings now scattered across Lakewood. And then lands that I thought had been earmarked for open space, those started to get filled up."