Legalized Extortion? Fighting Denver’s So-Called “Affordable Housing” Mandate

What happens when cities start charging tens of thousands to build a few homes, all in the name of “affordable housing”? In this explosive interview, David Dearson of the Pacific Legal Foundation joins John Rush to expose Denver’s controversial "linkage fee"—a mandatory payment developers must make to get a permit. Framed as inclusionary zoning, Dearson calls it what it really is: legalized extortion. With $70,000 demanded from a small builder constructing only a handful of homes, John and co-host Andy argue this isn’t about solving a housing crisis—it’s about political power and buying votes with taxpayer-funded projects.

Can making housing more affordable really start by making it more expensive to build? These fees, which increase annually and apply even to the smallest residential projects, threaten not only local builders but also property rights nationwide. As the Pacific Legal Foundation challenges the constitutionality of these mandates, this case could set a precedent across the country—and potentially reach the Supreme Court. John urges listeners to support the fight at pacificlegal.org and rethink what “affordable housing” really means. What if the real solution is far simpler? 

Find out more at Rush To Reason.