Homelessness and housing insecurity are hot-button issues across the country, and are increasingly of concern in the Roaring Fork Valley where living costs are some of the highest. While more and more people become at risk of homelessness, KDNK and The Sopris Sun highlight the nuances of this complex issue in an ongoing series by […]
housing
Posted inLocal Government
Glenwood Springs launches Employer-Based Rental Assistance
The City of Glenwood Springs is taking an innovative approach to address the Roaring Fork Valley’s ever-mounting housing crisis, as it recently launched its Employer-Based Rental Assistance pilot program. In short, the program will provide one year of critical rental assistance to cost burdened employees who live and work in Glenwood Springs. Ultimately, the initiative […]
Posted inNews
‘Squatter’s rights’ versus tenants rights, and knowing the difference
Colorado’s adverse possession laws, more commonly known as “squatter’s rights,” allow people to claim ownership of a property they’ve occupied without permission, once specific criteria is met. These laws — designed to settle disputes over land use — have become increasingly contentious in a modern context, raising questions about their impact on property owners in […]
Posted inColumns
Questioning housing capacity in the Roaring Fork Valley
By Siri Olsen A few months ago, Habitat for Humanity RFV President Gail Schwartz raised the issue of “carrying capacity” in one of her editorial columns in the Aspen Daily News. This is an issue I have been contemplating for the past several years. I am writing this column to encourage a community-wide discussion of […]
Posted inNews
Carbondale Homeless Assistance achieves 10 years
“I’m tired of this whole thing,” said Pamela True. “But it’s been my community for 21 years, my family.” Ever since the COVID-induced moratorium on evictions ended, True — a senior citizen — has experienced bouts of homelessness, camping for months at a time with her chocolate lab to avoid leaving the area. “One of […]
Posted inNonprofits
Habitat’s L3 condo project in Glenwood another step to housing the ‘missing middle’
Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley has never been one to stay inside a certain box when it comes to making the dream of home ownership a reality for more area residents.The organization’s recent $35 million purchase of the L3 Apartments in Glenwood Meadows, with a plan to convert the 88 studio and one-bedroom apartments […]
Posted inNews
WSVC advances tiny house project for homeless veterans
The Western Slope Veterans Coalition (WSVC) is pressing forward with an ambitious project to construct a tiny home community for homeless veterans in Silt.WSVC board members Jeremie Oates, president; John Pettit, treasurer; and John Beckius, marketing committee member, welcomed The Sopris Sun to share their insights on the tiny house project. The project strives to […]
Posted inBusiness
Housing values likely to increase, yet again, in 2025
In the Roaring Fork Valley housing costs have skyrocketed in recent years. That’s a common headline, old news and perhaps even an understatement.A Forbes article received a lot of social media engagement after being posted on the Carbondale Facebook page, and for good reason. In the Sept. 26 Forbes article, “Cities where home values have […]
Posted inBusiness
Building community on the slopes
Bluebird powder days are just around the corner, and Aspen One’s Tenants for Turns program is gearing up for another successful winter season of building community on the slopes.Creatively addressing the Roaring Fork Valley’s housing shortage, especially for seasonal employees, Aspen One launched Tenants for Turns, an incentive program for local landlords and homeowners to […]
Posted inNews
RFSD housing: A paradox of progress
The Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) is experiencing mixed outcomes with two of its housing projects. One has alleviated teacher housing struggles, while another, intended for leadership recruitment, remains unoccupied.The Sopris Sun recently spoke with Chief of Operations Ben Bohmfalk about the district’s two housing scenarios. MeadowoodOn Sept. 19, a ribbon-cutting ceremony saw key stakeholders […]