A new proposal in Denver is urging officials to impose a "ghost tax" on landlords and property owners.

Those behind the proposed ghost tax say it would act as a fee on rental units left vacant for an extended period and also operate as a new revenue stream to help create affordable housing by encouraging owners to rent or sell empty properties.

Why It Matters

Advocates frame the measure as a response to a housing shortage and a means to push corporate landlords to make units available and affordable amid a high number of empty rental units in the Denver metro area.

The proposal follows the defeat of Measure 2R, a sales-tax initiative championed by Democratic Mayor Mike Johnston that voters rejected earlier this year, and the advocates have presented the vacancy fee as an alternat

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