Gonzalez, Butler Vie for House District 50
Republican incumbent Ryan Gonzalez faces Democrat Tommy Butler in the November 3 race, with affordability and housing as shared top concerns.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Child Care
Live Poll
Do you think housing costs in your area are getting better or worse?
State Rep. Ryan Gonzalez, a Republican seeking a second term, faces Democrat Tommy Butler, a former Greeley city councilman, in the Colorado House District 50 election. Both candidates have named affordability and housing as their top concerns.
Why it matters
Housing costs and childcare access are pressing concerns for Colorado families, and the candidates offer different approaches to addressing them. The outcome will shape how the state handles affordable housing construction and property tax policy in the years ahead.
Butler brings six years of Greeley City Council experience and serves on the Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity board. Gonzalez is seeking a second term, and the race's outcome on November 3 remains unknown.
The players
Ryan Gonzalez
A Republican State Representative for Colorado House District 50 seeking a second term, who argues that lawsuit fears are deterring affordable multifamily housing construction.
Tommy Butler
A Democrat and former Greeley city councilman who served six years on the council and sits on the Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity board, running for House District 50.
The details
Gonzalez argues that affordable housing is not being built because developers fear construction-defect lawsuits, and he proposes protections for multifamily developers. Butler proposes streamlining state grant processes to help nonprofit housing developers reduce costs. Both point to Colorado's 2020 repeal of the Gallagher Amendment, after which property taxes rose considerably.
Timeline
2020: Colorado voters repealed the Gallagher Amendment, after which property taxes rose considerably.
2025: A Colorado Child Care Assistance Program enrollment freeze began in Weld County and remains in place.
November 3, 2026: General election for Colorado House District 50.
Political Context
The candidates' housing debate is shaped by the aftermath of the 2020 Gallagher Amendment repeal, which redistributed property tax burdens between homeowners and businesses and was followed by rising property taxes. Gonzalez's position is that similar legislation is needed to stop those increases, while Butler's focus is on grant administration for nonprofit housing developers.
Colorado residents in House District 50 can weigh each candidate's housing and tax positions before the November 3 general election. Families affected by childcare assistance enrollment freezes in Weld County should monitor state program updates.
The takeaway
Housing affordability and property taxes are intertwined in Colorado, and voters in House District 50 face a choice between a lawsuit-protection approach and a grant-streamlining approach. Understanding how each candidate would address these costs can help residents make an informed decision.
Further reading
For more on the state's childcare access challenges, see Child Care coverage across Colorado.
Live Poll
Do you think housing costs in your area are getting better or worse?
