New tool takes guesswork out of Denver’s linkage fees

New tool takes guesswork out of Denver's linkage fees

Published on January 21, 2026

Single-family home and duplex builders can use Linkage Fee Estimator for greater clarity on fees early in the process

DENVER-Denver Community Planning and Development launched today a new online tool that will help applicants calculate linkage fees for their projects, particularly those building single-unit and two-unit homes. The Linkage Fee Estimator will empower those taking on new construction in Denver by providing greater clarity about the costs up front and helping them make informed decision about potential building projects.

How to use the estimator

Denver's Expanding Housing Affordability (EHA) or Mandatory Affordable Housing Ordinance applies to projects with 10 housing units or more. Applicants can use the existing EHA Compliance Calculator to determine their best path forward to meet the law's requirements. Projects that opt to pay the linkage fee as well as residential projects with 9 units or fewer can then use the new estimator to calculate their linkage fees automatically, based on the project information entered.

About the linkage fee

Denver's linkage fee went into effect in 2017 to support Denver's Affordable Housing Fund, which is used to create and preserve thousands of affordable homes for families with low to moderate incomes. The fee works in conjunction with Denver's Mandatory Affordable Housing Ordinance, which ensures that all new development in Denver includes or contributes to affordable housing in the city. The fee estimator was created in collaboration with the Department of Housing Stability, which manages the city's affordable housing fund and partnered with CPD in the development of the ordinance.

When the fee applies, it may vary greatly by project, depending on the size, the uses and the location in the city. For example, the linkage fee considerations for a mixed-use development include whether it includes housing, how many units are being built, the square footage per non-residential use and whether it is in a designated "high-market" area. The intent of the fee structure is to reflect the varying costs of development, not only across project types and scopes, but also across Denver's various neighborhoods.

For more information on EHA and Denver's linkage fee, visit Denvergov.org/AffordableHousingFee.

BUILDING COMMUNITY: Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) is responsible for visionary city planning and ensuring safe, responsible, sustainable building. We're working hard to make Denver a great place to live, work and play! Visit DenverGov.org/CPD.

Related Information

• EHA Ordinance and Affordable Housing Fee

• Community Planning & Development
• News
• Press release