Pulling into the Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park, behind Honey Butter in Carbondale, one is met with kids playing basketball and riding bikes who clear the lightly-traveled roadway for passersby. It’s almost like driving into the 1950s, a simpler time. But the problem its residents are facing is far from simple.
According to an Aspen Daily News (ADN) article on March 25, residents at both Mountain Valley and the Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park, outside of Willits, were given notice that the land their homes sit on will be put up for sale for $18 million and $24 million, respectively. “The notice of intent to sell or list says the owner will only consider offers to purchase both for $42 million,” the ADN article stated.
However, according to a GoFundMe page created by the Mountain Valley community, that park will be sold for $15.5 million — also its lofty fundraising goal. Still, as stated in the ADN article, the actual assessed 2024 value for Aspen-Basalt was $6,259,010, while Mountain Valley’s actual value sits at $9,432,810.
Due to Colorado regulations, the residents have 120 days from the notice date, March 11, to put in an offer, but the owner, Investment Property Group, can entertain other offers once the parks are listed. Investment Property Group also owns the Apple Tree Mobile Home Park outside of New Castle. The Sopris Sun reached out to the company for comment, but did not receive a response as of press time.
At Carbondale’s Board of Trustees meeting on April 8, Trustee Colin Laird brought up the situation. He had attended a meeting the previous Wednesday at the Third Street Center, where roughly 80 residents gathered and met with a local legal team. “They invited Thistle ROC [Thistle Community Housing], which is a nonprofit developer that works with mobile home communities to help them purchase themselves and become a resident-[owned] community,” explained Laird. “[Thistle Community Housing] has done 11 to 13 mobile home park transitions in Colorado.” Trustee Chris Hassig chimed in and said Carbondale should be ready to step in and help, even pitching the idea of considering annexation.
The Valley saw a successful case study in 2023, when Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation — an arm of the former social justice nonprofit MANAUS — purchased the Three Mile Mobile Home Park outside of Glenwood Springs for $2.4 million with the intent to eventually sell it to the residents.
JVAM law firm, with an office in Glenwood Springs, is representing the Mountain Valley community.
Aspen-Basalt resident
Victor Argueta-Gomez has lived in the Aspen-Basalt park his whole life; he is 21 years old. He resides there with his mother, step-dad and siblings. A graduate from Basalt High School — it’s possible readers sawn him perform in one of the school’s annual musicals. Today, he works as an apprentice plumber. “I had the privilege to grow up in a quiet, safe and beautiful area. I definitely don’t take that for granted,” he told The Sopris Sun.
The Sun spoke with Argueta-Gomez at the end of March. Then, he explained his community is working together to try and come up with a solution, but had to move quickly.
He said being forced to leave would be “incredibly painful … especially when that home has been a source of comfort and … identity.” He continued, “For many Hispanic families and mobile home communities, such as the one in Basalt, they’re not just affordable housing options, but tight-knit neighborhoods, with culture and shared experiences. It’s just something that I would really love to keep.”
Mountain Valley residents
Maria Quezada has lived in her Mountain Valley home for almost 20 years. In fact, she managed the park for 12 years under the previous owners. Both of her children graduated from Roaring Fork High School (RFHS). Now her daughter practices immigration law in Denver and her son works in construction — they both still come home for the holidays and every chance they get.
“We’re looking for help in any way possible,” said Quezada. “We’re working together, and we’re trying to find ways to keep our homes.” And they are not sitting back and waiting. The evening of Quezada’s interview with The Sun, April 15, Mountain Valley residents gathered at the small playground west of the property to discuss fundraising efforts — from organizing car washes and yard sales to each household contributing $100 to start off the GoFundMe page.
Quezada said there are currently about 60 kids living in the Mountain Valley community who are enrolled in Carbondale schools. She estimated the park is made up of about 80% Hispanic families.
Idelia Montes has lived there for 24 years. She has two daughters who reside with her, each of whom have a child of their own. Montes’ grandchildren participate in extracurricular activities, including sports, taekwondo and attending Stepping Stones. Her granddaughter, 13, has asked what might happen and how it could affect her schooling. Entering her freshman year this fall, she, like most kids her age, wants to continue on with her classmates to RFHS.
When Montes’ granddaughter was small, 3 or 4, the family moved from one trailer to another within the park. Even then, as she watched her old home be hauled away, Montes recalled how concerned she was. Now, she has that same feeling, but with more understanding and much higher stakes.
Eber Silva, 28, was born and raised in the Valley and has lived in the same home for 18 years. He attended Carbondale schools throughout, and was in the pre-collegiate program and received his associates degree at Colorado Mountain College (CMC). His sister, Yesenia Silva Estrada, is the vice president of planning and chief of staff at CMC.
“Out of these little mobile home [parks], we have a lot of people who are very involved in the community,” said Quezada. “They were raised here.”
“We’re [also] the blue-collar class that you see bagging your groceries, checking you out, in service, cleaning homes,” added Silva. “In this community is the infrastructure that keeps this valley moving. If we don’t have this community, what does that mean?” He said it would have a ripple effect on the local economy.
Lily Magana has lived in the park for 25 years, and raised three daughters there. She attended both of her older children’s RFHS graduation ceremonies, alongside fellow Carbondale community members. With tears welling in her eyes, she stated through an interpreter, “We are scared, sad and worried.” She added that she has never had such feelings while living there.
“People say it’s 64 homes, but really it’s 64 families,” concluded Silva. Quezada added bluntly, “We want people to help us.”
Readers can find the GoFundMe page at www.tinyurl.com/MountainValleyGFM