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Community Housing

The Town of Crested Butte has been committed to providing affordable housing for its local workforce since 1989. Today, 305 deed-restricted units make up approximately 25% of the Town’s total housing stock, offering a mix of rental and ownership options thoughtfully designed to match the community’s historic character. 

Funding for these initiatives comes in part from a 7.5% Vacation Rental Use Tax, which directly supports affordable housing efforts. Additional funding comes from the Affordable Housing Fund, where community members can contribute by making a tax-deductible donation to the Town’s 501(c)(3), ensuring that local workers can continue to live and thrive in Crested Butte.

Contribute to the Affordable Housing Fund

Contact Information

For details about housing contact Erin Ganser, Housing Director at eganser@crestedbutte-co.gov

 

All department contact info →

Housing Information

Explore resources on affordable housing programs, studies and reports, existing developments, and current workforce housing projects.

View Affordable Housing Guidelines

Housing Resources

Listed are a number of resources for those seeking rental housing.

Affordable Housing Programs
  • Good Deed Program: The Good Deed Program pays property owners to place a permanent deed restriction on their property that restricts occupancy to local employees.
  • Green deed program: 
    • Launched in 2021, Green Deed will cover the assessment costs and energy efficiency upgrades for +/- 18 deed restricted homes in the Town of Crested Butte, on a first-come, fist serve basis. This program is administered by the Town's housing partner, the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority. 
  • The Resident Occupied Affordable Housing (ROAH) policy: Requires developers/builders to address the workforce housing demand that is generated by certain new residential, nonresidential, and lodging development.  There are multiple methods by which the requirements can be met, including but not limited to building requisite deed restricted units within a new development, deed restricting an existing unit, or paying a cash in lieu fee
Current Workforce Housing Projects
Paradise Park

Project Status

The application window for the Paradise Park Workforce Rentals Phase II is May 12 through midnight on June 1, 2025.

The second phase of the project includes two, two-bedroom single family homes.  Each features an all-electric design with air source heat pumps as the primary heating source, energy efficient construction, in-unit washer and dryer, dishwasher, glass-top stove, microwave, refrigerator, and storage. The two units are located at 930 Butte Avenue and 20 Tenth Street.  The monthly rent is $2,025, the tenant is responsible for all utilities, and the security deposit is equal to one month’s rent.  The lottery is anticipated to be held in mid-June. 

Download Application - English Download Application - Spanish 

Pay the application fee via the Town of Crested Butte payment portal

Project Background

In 2000, the Town of Crested Butte was dedicated 15 acres for affordable housing as part of the Verzuh Ranch Annexation. Since the annexation, the Town has provided infrastructure improvements and constructed or facilitated the construction of 82 deed-restricted homes. The Town is working with High Mountain Concepts to build 14 deed restricted workforce rental units on the remaining Town-owned parcels.

Mineral Point

Project Status

Lease up of the 34 units at Mineral Point is anticipated for summer 2025.  Announcements will be shared via the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority’s rental interest list, linked in the right column of this page. The project is similar to Anthracite Place and will serve incomes at and below 60% AMI (about $45,000/year for two people based on 2024 HUD income limits.)

Project Background

The Town of Crested Butte received nine parcels of land to be developed for various public uses through the Slate River Annexation in 2020. Parcels 5 & 3 were specifically designated for development as affordable housing. In 2021, the Town undertook a six-month planning effort for these parcels to understand the community’s expectations for the site and to frame a Request for Proposals from the development community. Through this process, the Town selected a well-reputed developer, TWG Development, to develop a 34-unit workforce rental homes on Parcel 5. During the fall of 2022 and summer of 2023, the Town undertook environmental remediation of the site under the Voluntary Clean-Up Program with the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment and relocated dry utilities to prepare the site for development.  TWG Development was awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits in May of 2023 to fund the project.  

The development program for Parcel 3B, which fronts Butte Avenue to the east of Mineral Point, includes 16 rental townhomes that are restricted for the local workforce but do not include income restrictions. The Town is working on the financing for these units, as well as those planned in Paradise Park.

Housing Developments

There are a number of affordable housing projects throughout the town. 

View Housing Developments Map

  • Mineral Point
    • 34-unit Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) rental property under construction with lease up the summer of 2025. Units are restricted to households at 30-60% Area Median Income (AMI).  
    • Please contact the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority for rental information housing@gvrha.org
  • Paradise Park
    • Over 85 deed restricted homes have been built by the Town, homeowners, and local employers in the Paradise Park neighborhood since the land was dedicated as part of an annexation in 2000.  The homes have a variety of deed restrictions, all requiring participation in the local workforce.
    • The Town is currently building 14 additional rental homes targeting households that earn 140% or less of AMI.  There are two vacant triplex parcels remaining, one owned by the Town and the other by Gunnison County.
  • Redden
    • Developed by the Valley Housing Fund, these three deed restricted mobile homes require occupants to be members of the local workforce.
  • Ruby Workforce Housing
    •  In 2021, the Town purchased a 3,300 square foot, six bedroom bed and breakfast to help house seasonal workers with priority given to Town employees. The communal living property has shared kitchen and living room spaces, and each tenant has their own bedroom and bathroom. 
    • For rental information, please contact housing@gvrha.org
  • Anthracite Place
    • This 30 unit LIHTC rental property was developed in 2018 and provides affordable rental housing to households at 50-60% AMI. 
    • Please contact the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority for rental information housing@gvrha.org
  • Verzuh
    • As part of an annexation dedication in 2000, eight parcels are restricted to local workforce with appreciation limits.
  • Kapushion
    •  Annexed in 1990, four parcels were dedicated as community housing with no appreciation cap.
  • Red Lady Estates
    • Ten-unit deed restricted manufactured home park was developed in 2003 and provides homeownership opportunities for members of the local workforce with appreciation limits.
  • Poverty Gulch
    • A ten-unit condominium developed in 1999 that targets local workforce households who earn 80%-100% AMI with appreciation limits.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units
    • There are approximately 100 deed restricted ADUs throughout Town.  
    • Those approved between 1990 and May 15, 2023 simply require the unit be leased for a term of not less than six months.  T
    • hose approved after May 15, 2023 also have a local workforce participation requirement.
  • Resident Occupied Affordable Housing Units (ROAH)
    • ROAH is the Town’s inclusionary zoning program that requires developers of certain types of properties to address the workforce housing impact of the new project.  
    • To date, there are five ROAH units that include a local workforce participation requirement restricted at various income levels.
  • Good Deed
    • Similar to Vail’s In Deed program, the Good Deed program launched in 2022 buys down the market value of a home in exchange for a perpetual restriction that at least one occupant be a full-time member of the local workforce.  
    • If you’re interested in participating, contact housing@crestedbutte-co.gov
Studies and Analysis

Community Housing Partners

Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority (GVRHA)

Valley Housing Fund

Community Foundation for Gunnison Valley 

Habitat For Humanity

Mt. Crested Butte

Gunnison County