April 2023
Dear Honorable Members of the Colorado State Legislature,
Together Colorado is a nonpartisan, multi-racial and multi-faith statewide organization working to place human dignity at the center of public life in Colorado. We are writing to express our support for HB23-1171, Just Cause for Evictions.
Whether we live in the mountains, foothills or on the plains, whether we are Black, white or brown, we all need a home – a reliable and safe place of rest. Unfortunately, there are corporate interests focused on generating the greatest possible profit that care little about whether people remain housed. This is particularly true for Black and brown communities who, due to historic and continued discrimination in housing, are more likely to be threatened with eviction or evicted than white people in similar circumstances.
Most Coloradans want to see legislation that reduces the incidence of evictions and helps keep people housed. Home should be a place of comfort where we can make memories and raise our families without worrying about being unjustly evicted.
As faith leaders, we have a moral duty to bring attention to the emotional and social pitfalls of losing your home. The testimony heard in support of the Just Cause Eviction measure as well as HB23-1115, “Local Control” spoke of the trauma of housing insecurity and living under the threat of eviction. One of the prime sponsors of both bills attests to his own experience of homelessness and emerging from childhood with only one photo because of an eviction.
The provisions of this legislation will reduce the vulnerability of tenants without hurting a landlord’s interest in obtaining a fair return. For the well-being of individuals, families and communities, helping people gain access to and maintain affordable housing should be among the highest moral commitments of elected officials. By supporting HB23-1171, you stand for equity! You are providing protection for all Colorado renters from being exploited by a wealthy few.
All our faith traditions speak to the dignity and sacredness of every life and the importance of shelter as a basic human need. In Leviticus Chapter 19, verse 36, we are told, “You must have completely honest weights and completely honest measures, I am Adonai your God who freed you from the land of Egypt.” Colorado’s current eviction laws favor landlords in an extreme manner. When tenants are not protected from arbitrary eviction, it is akin to not having honest weights and measures.
Representing these traditions, we believe that all of Colorado’s residents, regardless of how they worship, what they look like, or what’s in their wallet, deserve a safe and stable place to call home. We must legislate for all Coloradans.
As clergy and faith leaders in your communities, we urge you to vote YES on HB23-1171.
Thank you for your public service and leadership.
Signed by 117 Colorado Faith Leaders. To view the signers, see the PDF below: