East Colfax Collective Secures $2.8 M Grant to Turn Luxury Site into Affordable Housing

The East Colfax Community Collective (EC3) received a $2.8 million state grant to acquire the 1.34‑acre Ambience site at 1310‑1380 Yosemite Street. The land was previously slated for luxury townhomes starting at $600,000, but the grant enables EC3 to shift the project to affordable housing.

EC3 plans to build 152 units on the site and add a community space. The group also purchased a nearby 14‑unit building at 1321 Yosemite Street, which it will keep as naturally‑occurring affordable housing.

The collective has been active in the neighborhood for years, protesting the original luxury plans and acquiring other properties. Earlier this year it bought the Edge at Lowry, a 60‑unit, five‑building complex, and is seeking tax credits to rebuild it from the studs.

“Over the next few years, EC3 will work closely with community members to define the most important needs for the area, and will push forward a project on the site to meet those needs,” the collective’s release said. Jamie Laurie of Project Worthmore called the acquisition “a full circle moment.”

What this means for residents The new development will add a substantial number of affordable homes, keep a block of existing affordable units intact, and give the neighborhood greater control over future growth, helping to prevent displacement.