The Denver Housing Authority is moving to convert downtown dorms and office spaces into apartments through a massive wave of 479 new permits and licenses.
This surge in filings signals a shift in how the city is tackling the housing shortage, moving away from new construction in some areas to repurpose existing institutional and commercial buildings in the city center.
Public records from April 2026 show the agency secured 452 licenses for properties in the 80202 ZIP code, covering the downtown LoDo and central business district areas. An additional 27 licenses were filed for sites in Capitol Hill near Colfax Ave. The filings specifically target the conversion of former dormitory-style facilities and historic office buildings into residential units.
The agency's activity extends beyond the city center. Between February and April 2026, the authority submitted 10 site plans and zoning amendments for projects in Northeast Denver, pushing for a transition from industrial zoning to mixed-use residential zones.
This public effort coincides with private development trends. Gonzalez Apartments LLC, a Zocalo Development entity, filed 28 permits for Northeast Denver projects between 2026 and 2028, including 10 site development filings in a 60-day window during the first quarter of 2026.
Residents can find more details on these filings by visiting the Denver city portal at framinghamma.portal.opengov.com.