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 create a community where veterans can find camaraderie, support and a place to call home.
“Veterans need more than just a place to stay; they need a community where they can heal, find purpose and know they’re not alone,” said Oates, a 22-year Army Special Forces veteran and Roaring Fork Valley native.
Established in 2015, the coalition operates a resource center in downtown Glenwood Springs called the Jesse Beckius/Casey Owens Veterans Resource Center, named in honor of two local veterans who struggled after returning from deployment with the invisible wounds of war.
The center is a vital support hub for veterans, offering a community dedicated to mental health and well-being, ensuring no veteran feels alone in their transition back to civilian life. The center also assists veterans with accessing benefits and finding housing or employment.
Recognizing the urgent need for permanent housing options, the coalition launched its tiny house initiative to address homelessness among veterans in Garfield, Pitkin and Eagle counties. The coalition has identified a promising two-acre plot across from Silt’s Flat Tops Cowboy Church in an area that can accommodate 34 tiny homes.
“We’ll do it in phases, starting with about 15 homes,” Pettit explained. “We want to see how it goes, and then we can add more as we establish the community.”
The tiny house community is part of a broader initiative to address veterans experiencing homelessness in a way that meets their unique needs. According to Oates, many struggle with physical disabilities, mental health challenges and a sense of isolation that makes it difficult to reintegrate into civilian life. The WSVC’s tiny house project seeks to build a supportive environment, offering veterans on-site access to health and social services. Plans include a full-time manager with a background in social services, a community center and a recreation area.
Oates emphasized the importance of the community. “Our goal is to create a place where veterans can rebuild their lives in a supportive, familiar setting,” he said. “The tiny home village isn’t just housing — it’s about veterans helping veterans with the support they need to thrive.”
The project’s financial goal is approximately $3.5 million, covering land acquisition, infrastructure and construction. The Denver-based VFW made a $100,000 seed donation when they sold their building, and the coalition has made progress with Silt town planners toward securing the site.
The WSVC plans to apply for various grants to reach the funding target, including a large discretionary grant from the Anschutz Family Foundation and a federal congressional spending grant. The coalition has also received endorsements from around 25 local nonprofits and organizations committed to improving the lives of veterans.
“Veterans often feel marginalized,” said Pettit. “The community provides a place where they know they are supported and valued. We want the tiny house community to reflect that same spirit of camaraderie.”
Mental health support remains a priority. The coalition holds suicide prevention training in response to the tragic reality that 22 veterans die by suicide each day, “and that crosses all demographics,” Oates said.
Beckius, who served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation machinist mate, shares a personal connection to the issue, having lost his son, a Marine Corps veteran, to suicide.
“The center is named after my son, Jesse, who died in 2013, five weeks after coming home from Afghanistan, when he took his own life. John [Pettit] approached me about the coalition, and I was behind it 100%,” Beckius shared.
“Suicide among veterans remains a serious issue,” Pettit said, pointing to the unique mental health challenges veterans face. “Our center is committed to ensuring veterans have access to the resources they need, whether that is mental health support, housing or just someone to talk to.”
The tiny house project in Silt is expected to break ground in the summer of 2026, following final approvals from the Silt Town Council and completion of the planning phase. “This project represents hope and a fresh start for our veteran community,” Oates said. “It’s about building more than houses; it’s about building lives and restoring dignity.”
Community members interested in supporting the tiny house project or other WSVC initiatives are encouraged to contact the WSVC office by phone at 970-233-8735 or email at wsveteranscoalition@gmail.com
In conclusion, Oates said, “The journey to make a difference is long, but we’re on the right path.”
For more information on how to support the WSVC’s mission or participate in upcoming events, go to www.westernslopeveterans.org