Brown Ranch Annexation

Steamboat Ski Resort supports the annexation of Brown Ranch as one component of a much larger, incredibly complex issue of providing affordable and attainable housing in Routt County. This issue is not unique to our community and will require a multi-faceted collaborative approach which the Yampa Valley is known for. The core of the Steamboat Springs community’s workforce – teachers, police, firefighters, resort employees and small business owners and their employees – struggle to find housing within the market that currently exists. Our economy and quality of life depend on housing and Brown Ranch is not the silver bullet but is a key component to addressing both the short-term crisis and long-term need.

As the largest existing provider of workforce housing in Northwest Colorado with more than 800 beds for winter seasonal staff, Steamboat Resort recognizes our community still needs more. We want to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to not only address seasonal housing but also the need for other segments of the workforce. We continue to invest in workforce housing specific to the resort and recognize that Brown Ranch can assist year-round employees who want to make a life for themselves and their families here.

Steamboat Resort supports the annexation of Brown Ranch, and we look forward to a meaningful partnership with the City, YVHA, local businesses, and the broader community to support Brown Ranch moving forward. We also urge YVHA and City Council to clarify the funding and final annexation issues and lead this process with transparency to meet the current housing crisis and provide long term solutions for housing for our community.