OBITUARIES

At the same time that housing development slowed, Colorado’s population grew.

“In the meantime, the population has grown tremendously and the supply just hasn’t been able to catch up with that demand,” Daggett said.

In 2010, Colorado had a population of 5,029,196, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2022, the population was estimated at 5,839,926 — a roughly 16% increase.

As of June 2021, Colorado’s for-sale housing inventory was 13% of what is needed for a functioning sales market, according to Root Policy Research’s report. A functioning sales market means there are enough units so that people can move easily, such as being able to upsize or downsize, Aggeler said.

To return the housing market to a functioning level, Colorado would need an average of 44,250 units built each year until 2030, according to the report, published in November 2021. is would be 1.6 times the state’s current production levels.

Ted Leighty — the CEO of the Colorado Association of Home Builders, an a liate organization of the National Association of Home Builders — said, overall, depending on who is talking, Colorado is somewhere between 175,000 to 200,000 units short of demand.

“ at’s really challenging to come back from, especially, you know, the pace by which we were able to produce new housing in Colorado,” Leighty said.

He hates to use the word “crisis” when discussing housing in Colorado, describing it instead as a major challenge.

Leighty explained the challenge comes down to the ve L’s — lumber and other building materials, labor, land, loans and access to capital, and local government. All have played roles in slowing down housing construction, especially since the Great Recession, leading to higher demand and decreased a ordability.

“ ese are always our main cost drivers for residential construction,” Leighty said. “All ve of those right now, and have been, unfortunately, for the last several years, been huge challenges for us.”

He said high lumber costs and some supply chain issues have improved marginally recently, but they still pose problems for developers.

Also, there is a labor shortage.

“We’ve seen a little bit of uptick in (the) labor participation rate for construction, but not nearly enough,” Leighty said. “We’ve got an aging skilled labor demographic, and we haven’t done a great job replacing that labor with younger, skilled laborers.”

In addition to training the laborers of the next generation, Leighty said a “sound immigration policy” could help bring more workers to projects.

“ ere’s a pretty big de cit, and we need to do all we can, policy standpoint and otherwise, to increase labor,” Leighty said.

During the pandemic, there was a perception the housing market was hot, Leighty said.

“It was the most challenging hot market ever on record — to source materials, to source labor, to get projects through the pipeline was immeasurable in how di cult it was,” Leighty said.

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PATTON

Carl Dean Patton

January 1, 1937 - December 11, 2022 Carl Dean Patton, 85, passed away December 11, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Morgan. Carl was born on January 1, 1937 to omas and Blanche (Hendrickson) Patton in Fort Morgan. He was the oldest of ten children, raised on the family farm in Roggen. Carl attended Kiowa’s one room schoolhouse until the 8th grade. He was a mechanic and spent his days farming and operating heavy equipment. He enjoyed driving truck, so he purchased a semi and started his own business, C&F Custom Hauling. Carl retired at the age of 84 and spent his last years turning wrenches with his son Tommy. He knew a little about everything when it came to xing things and was as tough as they come. Carl enjoyed shing and boating with his family and friends, telling jokes, and a tall glass of whiskey. Carl was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Dorothy Ley and Betty Burnett. Carl is survived by his three children, Don (Luann) Patton of Fort Lupton, Carlene Patton of Fort Lupton, and Tommy (Connie) Patton of Fort Morgan; six grandchildren, Mistie Coursey, Nicole Engbarth, Sandy Fry, Craig Patton, Autumn and Brittannie Ramirez; 12 great-grandchildren; four brothers: Jim Patton of Greeley, Ira and Clyde Patton of Roggen, and Roy Patton of Frederick; and three sisters: Carol Rice of Bridgeport, NE, Toby Schwindt of Wheatland, WY, and Ruth Collins of Crested Butte. A memorial service will be held at Life Fellowship Church Friday January 20, 2023 at 2:00pm, followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. Donations are being accepted to help o set funeral expenses at fundafamily.com.

Solution

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

TRIVIA

1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the second-longest river in North America? 2. MOVIES: Which 1973 movie advertised itself as a place “where nothing can possibly go wrong”? 3. GAMES: Which party game claims that it can “tie you up in knots”? 4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the rst to appoint an African American as a member of his Cabinet? 5. HISTORY: When was the Warsaw Pact between the Soviet Union and seven Eastern Bloc countries signed? 6. TELEVISION: Which TV game show often uses the phrase “Survey says ...”? 7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a female peacock called? 8. FOOD & DRINK: How many meals do Hobbits eat in a day,

according to the movies? 9. ADVERTISING: Which product used a manicurist named Madge in its advertisements? 10. MEDICAL: What is a common name for the condition called septicemia?

Answers

1. e Mississippi. 2. “Westworld.” 3. Twister. 4. Lyndon Johnson. 5. 1955. 6. “Family Feud.” 7. A peahen. 8. Seven. 9. Palmolive dishwashing liquid. 10. Blood poisoning. (c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc. Crossword Solution