Pitkin County to back resident purchases of two Valley mobile-home parks with $3 million letter of intent

Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution authorizing the chair to sign a letter of intent committing $3 million in county funds to help residents purchase two mobile-home parks in the Roaring Fork Valley.

The board’s commitment, presented by Ashley Pearl, Pitkin County’s resiliency and housing director, is intended to be part of a larger valleywide funding stack to support Thistle — a national nonprofit that helps mobile-home residents organize and finance purchases — in an effort to turn the Aspen Basalt Mobile Home Park (in unincorporated Eagle County) and the Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park (in unincorporated Garfield County, just outside Carbondale) into resident-owned communities.

Why it matters: The county’s pledge is aimed at preserving existing workforce housing instead of losing units and then trying to replace them. Pearl told the board the county’s $3 million would be a grant, not a loan, and that the valleywide cash goal to support both parks is $10 million. She said the county would move from a letter of intent to a formal appropriation and agreement only if Thistle’s purchase offer is accepted and due diligence proceeds.

What commissioners heard and decided: Pearl said Thistle and a regional coalition had asked governments and private donors to provide cash “up front” to fill financing gaps so a resident bid can be competitive. “I have before you a commitment letter that would say we are interested and able to commit $3,000,000, as a grant,” Pearl said. She told commissioners the city of Aspen has also submitted a $3 million letter of intent and other local jurisdictions and private donors are weighing contributions; Atlantic Aviation has publicly committed $1 million.

Residents from Mountain Valley spoke at the public hearing. Maria Romero, who said she represented 64 families at Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park, described the park as 64 homes housing about 260 people and 65 children and said about 90% of residents work in Aspen. “We are gonna be able to keep our homes,” Romero said, thanking the commissioners and donors for the support.

Board members framed the decision as a time-sensitive intervention. Commissioners noted Colorado law gives park residents 120 days to submit a competing offer when a park is put on the market, and supporters said the deadline creates urgency for governments and private donors to confirm cash commitments so Thistle can assemble a loan and submit a competitive offer.

Next steps and limits: The letter of intent signals county support; Pearl said the county would return for formal appropriation and any property-interest agreements only if Thistle’s offer is accepted. County staff also said permanent deed restrictions would be required as part of any resident-owned conversion; the precise form of those restrictions and other details will be worked out in subsequent agreements. Commissioners said they expected a separate appropriation and public hearing before any money is disbursed.

Context: Converting a for-sale mobile-home park to a resident-owned community (often called a ROC) preserves units that otherwise are vulnerable to redevelopment and displacement, advocates said. The purchase effort under way includes multiple jurisdictions and private donors; the county chair urged local businesses and residents to add private contributions to reach the public–private funding target quickly in the 120-day window.

What the vote did: The board approved the resolution on first reading and directed staff to return with the appropriation and agreement language if Thistle’s purchase offer is accepted and the funding conditions are met.