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BARHA: Advocating for a Thriving Rental Industry in Boulder and Beyond

The Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA) is a trusted advocate and vital resource for rental property owners, managers, and housing providers in Boulder, Longmont, and the surrounding areas. Representing over 16,000 residential rental units in the City and County of Boulder, BARHA serves as a unified voice for the local rental housing industry.

Why Local Advocacy Matters Laws, regulations, and enforcement mechanisms directly impact the rental housing industry. Local advocacy ensures that these rules are fair, effective, and considerate of the needs of both property owners and tenants. By actively engaging in local policy discussions, BARHA protects property rights, promotes best practices, and supports the long-term sustainability of rental housing in our communities.

How BARHA Makes a Difference BARHA’s dedicated staff, board of directors, and engaged members work tirelessly to monitor, analyze, and respond to proposed local laws and regulations. Our organization:

Identifies Proposed Laws: We stay ahead of legislative changes that could impact rental housing, ensuring our members are informed and prepared.
Provides Industry Expertise: BARHA’s insights are shaped by decades of experience, allowing us to offer practical, data-driven recommendations to policymakers.
Collaborates with Local Government: We work closely with city councils, county officials, and municipal staff to shape effective policies and enforcement strategies.
Amplifies Member Voices: As a representative body for over 14,000 rental units, we ensure that the perspectives of property owners and managers are heard and considered.

The Power of Partnership BARHA’s success is fueled by collaboration. Our advocacy efforts are strengthened by the input and participation of our members. By uniting the voices of property owners, managers, and industry professionals, we help shape a fair and effective regulatory environment for rental housing.

Join Us in Shaping the Future When you support BARHA, you’re supporting a healthier, more vibrant rental housing industry. Our advocacy work protects your investment, strengthens community partnerships, and promotes responsible housing solutions. Together, we ensure that rental housing remains a viable, sustainable option for both property owners and tenants.

Stay Informed, Stay Involved As a BARHA member, you gain access to essential updates on local policy changes, exclusive advocacy opportunities, and the chance to shape the future of the rental housing industry. Join us in promoting a balanced approach to housing regulations that supports growth, fairness, and stability for all stakeholders.

Local Election Forums for City Council Candidates

BARHA co -hosts Local Election Forums for city council candidates in both Boulder and Longmont. These forums provide an opportunity for candidates to address key issues affecting the real estate and rental housing industry. With a focus on local policies, regulations, and housing challenges, the forums offer a platform for BARHA members and community stakeholders to engage directly with candidates.

By highlighting industry-specific concerns, BARHA ensures that the voices of property owners, managers, and housing providers are part of the broader conversation on local governance and housing policy.

2023 Longmont Council Forum

2023 Boulder Candidate Council Forum

Past Advocacy/Involvement

BARHA has a strong track record of local advocacy successes, including the calls to service program, improvements to the SmartRegs program, working with the city to create clarity in the chronic nuisance ordinance, changes to security deposit interest, and more. Below are a few highlights.

Dark Sky Ordinance (Outdoor Lighting)

The city of Boulder originally passed this ordinance in 2003. However, implementation for existing properties was not required until November of 2018, with enforcement starting in November of 2019. This ordinance requires exterior lighting to meet “brightness” standards that move to eliminate light pollution. Exterior lighting will have to ultimately be replaced if lights shine upward and/or glass enclosures release light pollution that exceeds the standards set forth in the ordinance (equivalence to a 60 watt bulb). See links below for more information.

If you are renting a condo, no worries. Thanks to BARHA, staff now understands that in a condo situation most folks do not have control over the exterior lighting. So if you do not have control over it, you are not responsible for it. For more details on the ordinance, please click the button below.

Outdoor Lighting Ordinance

Longmont Rental Licensing

In Spring of 2022, the city of Longmont proposed a rental licensing and inspection program. The impetus for the proposal was to concerns over some properties that were not cared for properly and that tenants were not comfortable complaining. BARHA felt that the proposal would only cost money and time for the city, landlords and tenants. If enforcing current code violations were a problem, then adding an entirely new program that requires additional enforcement would be difficult to manage. We also stressed the use of Longmont's mediation services.

Thanks to both BARHA staff and member advocacy, the proposal did not go through. The city of Longmont also did community outreach which did not show support for the program.

City of Boulder Weeds and Trash Ordinance Changes

In spring of 2023, the city of Boulder added added a civil process for weeds and trash violations which allows the city to issue a civil fine. They also addsed set escalation fine schedule to accommodate the civil process. The fee escalation is: $100, $250, $500

Through BARHA's advocacy we were able to reinstate email notifications for warnings. We also worked with our partners to have more transparency regarding the current practice of resetting the fine schedule every August or upon renewal of lease. It will be added to the "general order for code enforcement" and will be put in multiple places so that the public is aware.

City of Boulder Trash Regulations

Boulder Noise Ordinance Changes

In fall of 2022 Boulder City Council passed a noise ordinance changes that extend the unreasonable noise ordinance to daytime hours. In addition, if an officer can hear amplified noise more than 200 or more feet away, there will be a violation. Since the passage of this ordinance a neighbor complaint is no longer required for a noise ticket. BARHA testified, recognizing the need for a noise ordinance change and asked that staff prioritize the communication dashboard project which will allow housing providers to get information about calls to service.

Noise Ordinance