Boulder is a growing community of diverse cultures and identities—each person has their own story to tell. Yet, one thing most Boulderites can agree on is that the rent here is too high. That’s why Sarah Kitchen, better known as “Skitch,” is on a mission to change that.

During her sophomore year at the University of Colorado Boulder, Kitchen decided to get involved in the Environmental Design Student Government. Now, she serves on CU Student Government’s Legislative Council as vice president and a senator for the Environmental Design school. In her role as vice president, Kitchen has worked relentlessly to pass resolutions supporting CU Boulder students.

“This year, we posted a resolution supporting ‘Bedrooms are for People,’ a movement which calls for getting rid of the occupancy limits in Boulder,” Kitchen says. “In some areas, houses are limited to three occupants, but there could be, for example, six bedrooms. By getting rid of that, we would make housing more affordable in Boulder.”

Kitchen’s passion for affordable housing is complemented by her studies in environmental design, specifically urban planning.

“I always wanted to be an architect when I grew up,” Kitchen says. “I would build houses for my dolls and help my mom with real estate renovations.” 

Her mission to create affordable housing is not limited to her time at CU Boulder, as it’s something she aims to pursue in her professional career. 

“I think everyone deserves access to a place to live, sleep, shower and eat,” Kitchen says. “I want to work in that intersection between urban design and working with local governments to provide that.”

In light of the large gatherings of mostly college-aged students on University Hill in the spring, Kitchen has begun working to improve neighborhood relations, helping create a new committee dedicated to bettering the relationship between long-term Boulder residents and students who rent.

“We helped create a committee to support the office of Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations, which is responsible for programs like the Neighborhood Ambassadors program. They are working to create a better relationship between permanent residents and students living there,” says Kitchen. 

While she continues her search for career opportunities, Kitchen believes her experiences with legislative council and student housing create a unique niche for her in the field. For Kitchen, beginning a career in government and public administration is not out of reach.

“I would be interested in some kind of political career, maybe working under HUD, which is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,” says Kitchen. “I’m definitely interested in working in the non-profit or public sector rather than a for-profit firm.”

After graduating, Kitchen plans to attend graduate school to study housing and community development, further enhancing her knowledge and ability to create a more sustainable and equitable housing environment for all.