The Colorado Apartment Association Opposes Rent Strike Protest During Statewide Town Hall Meeting

DENVER (April 7, 2020) – The Colorado Apartment Association issued the following statement from
Mark Williams, executive vice president of the Colorado Apartment Association, in response to the rent
strike protest during today’s town hall meeting with Governor Polis and KUSA 9News.

“Our organization opposes the rent strike protest which took place during today’s statewide town hall
meeting, as well as any future rent strike protests. Not only were the strike participants potentially
violating the governor’s stay-at-home mandate and risking the spread COVID-19, the group is also
sowing seeds of division during a time when we all must work together.

“Colorado’s rental housing providers have a great deal of sympathy and compassion for Coloradans
struggling to make April rent payments. Housing providers are ready and willing to help COVID-19-
impacted residents with payment plans and rent restructure agreements. We encourage residents who
cannot pay rent to communicate with their housing provider immediately because there are resources
available to those directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Rent payments are crucial for the housing industry’s continued operation and must be covered by
those who have the ability to pay. Rent payments are used to cover mortgage costs, pay employees,
compensate vendors, maintain properties and more. Similarly, when we go to the grocery store, we
each expect to pay for groceries. The same applies to housing, when housing providers do not receive
rent payments, they are unable to provide housing for Colorado residents. Those who can pay rent
should to ensure that available resources go to those who are in dire financial situations.

“CAA invites residents and housing providers to visit our COVID-19 Resource Center for guidance and
assistance on financial aid. For residents, we have created a county-specific Renter Resource Guide in
both Spanish and English translations, a list of frequently asked questions from residents, information on
state financial assistance programs, and other related resources. For housing providers, we offer
information on the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program, small business loans, and construction
guidance, as well as templates for related employee and resident forms.

“Coloradans must not allow the COVID-19 pandemic to destroy the health of our businesses and our
unity with one another. We must each take personal responsibility to preserve our state’s opportunity
so Coloradans have jobs to return to once danger from COVID-19 has receded.”

Resources for renters and housing providers can be found here:
https://colorado.com/news/covid-19-resources.

About the Colorado Apartment Association
The Colorado Apartment Association (CAA) is a non-profit trade association representing owners,
developers, management companies, and vendors of the multifamily rental housing industry. CAA is
comprised of four local affiliates from across the state. The association represents over 3,100 members
who own and manage over 282,000 apartment homes, which totals more than $60 billion in assets.
Together with the local affiliates, the National Multifamily Housing Council, and the National Apartment
Association (NAA), CAA offers a strong network of information, education and representation of the
multifamily housing industry.