12/16/2025

A Look Back: 2025 In Review

In 2025, the need for truly affordable real estate across the Denver metro area was more urgent than ever. ULC focused on what matters most: protecting community space, expanding affordable housing, and supporting the nonprofits that strengthen our neighborhoods. Here are a few ways we made an impact this year.

60 New transit-oriented homes open in Commerce City

In June, ULC and our partners Nesbitt Development and Brinshore Development celebrated the opening of 60 permanently affordable apartments at South Platte Crossing, expanding housing stability for families in Commerce City. ULC’s community land trust preserves the homes’ affordability for 99 years. Contact Brothers Property Management for leasing information.

Affordable housing at Mosaic wins four awards

In 2025, the new housing at Mosaic Community Campus received statewide and local recognition, earning: the History Colorado Governor’s award for historic preservation, the City and County of Denver’s mayor’s design award, Historic Denver’s community preservation award, and the Housing Colorado eagle award. These honors celebrate Archway Communities’ thoughtful conversion of former residence halls into 154 affordable homes. ULC is proud to hold this housing in our community land trust, ensuring long-term affordability for 99 years, alongside schools, job training, a café, and other uses on the Mosaic campus.

Pictured: ULC and Archway give Gov. Jared Polis a tour of Mosaic housing.

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The Irving nears completion; ribbon-cutting ahead

As the year comes to a close, we’re welcoming the new residents of The Irving at Mile High Vista — ULC’s all-electric, permanently affordable apartment building on West Colfax. Offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for households earning $22,000 to $83,000 annually, The Irving reflects ULC’s commitment to stability, dignity, and opportunity in one of Denver’s most diverse neighborhoods. A ribbon-cutting early next year will mark this milestone in keeping communities strong, and affordability in reach.

Family-friendly housing is preserved in Five Points

In the spring, ULC acquired the former Brunetti Lofts building at 26th and Larimer in Five Points – 23 apartments for households earning $33,000 – $67,000 annually. ULC saw an opportunity to preserve affordability in a Denver neighborhood that has experienced dramatic increases in housing costs. The majority of apartments are three-bedroom units designed to accommodate larger families, which can be hard to find (and afford) in Five Points.

Co-Creating power, place and possibility: BRIC × ULC since 2020

The Black Resilience in Colorado (BRIC) Fund and ULC marked five years of working toward a shared vision of equity by expanding access to capital for Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits and small businesses. Together, we are helping organizations that anchor community and culture secure the stability they need to thrive. Learn more at bricfund.org.

ULC’s brand refresh: A fresh look for an old friend

In 2025, ULC introduced a renewed brand. It’s an investment in ULC for the next generation that better reflects our identity, that has more staying power, and that restates our commitment: Affordable real estate. For good.

It’s a new look and feel, but the same entrepreneurial energy we’ve had since day one. Explore our dynamic new website at urbanlandc.org.

ULC joins forces with Atlantis and Medici on housing at Liberty House

In December, ULC acquired 1500 Hooker St. in Denver’s West Colfax neighborhood with support from a $2.45 million Proposition 123 land banking award. ULC is partnering with Atlantis Community Housing and Medici Communities to transform a fire-damaged site into 62 new affordable apartments serving households earning $33,000-$67,000, including individuals with disabilities. ULC’s community land trust will preserve the homes’ affordability for 99 years.

New Legacy Charter School: 10 years strong

This year marked 10 years of New Legacy Charter School supporting young parents and their children in Aurora. ULC helped bring this vision to life in 2014 by converting a vacant bowling alley into a 23,000-square-foot high school and early learning center in under eight months. New Legacy opened its doors on August 31, 2015, and the school is held in ULC’s community land trust. We’re proud to celebrate a decade of New Legacy’s powerful impact on young lives.

2023–2025

Impact Spotlight

December 2025 marked the bookend of ULC’s 2023-2025 strategic plan. Here are a few highlights from the past three years:

900

Homes

ULC helped to develop, preserve or adaptively reuse 900 affordable homes, with an additional 900 on the way.
$7.8

Million

ULC’s 50 nonprofit tenants saved an estimated $7.8 million through ULC’s low-cost leasing.
06

Aquisitions

ULC’s low-interest Metro Denver Impact Facility supported the acquisition of 6 properties for community benefit.

Places for People

ULC’s new strategic plan

With affordable housing still scarce and many nonprofits experiencing unexpected funding cuts, ULC’s role as a stable, long-term land steward is more important than ever. Our 2026–2028 strategic plan charts a path to strengthen and expand permanently affordable community spaces in the years ahead. Read ULC’s 2026-2028 strategic plan.

Read the Plan

And finally, please enjoy some photos of ULC’s spring nonprofit mixer, where we celebrated #nonprofitlife with some of our 50 nonprofit lessees and friends!