Pitkin County joins Aspen and Snowmass in funding regional housing needs assessment; commissioner records a rare abstention

Pitkin County approved a memorandum of understanding with the City of Aspen and the Town of Snowmass Village to support a regional housing needs assessment carried out by EPS (Economic & Policy Strategies) and contracted by the City of Aspen.

Ashley Pearl, the county’s resiliency and housing director, told the board Aspen contracted EPS to perform a housing needs assessment that meets both state legislative requirements and the Prop 1/2/3 (referred to in the meeting as “Prop 1 2 3”) standards. Pearl said Aspen used a sole‑source amendment to retain EPS because only a small number of firms can perform an assessment that satisfies both state and ballot initiative rules and because EPS was available to start within the required timetable.

Pearl said the data will be granular and intended to comply with the Prop 1/2/3 waiver process used to request higher AMI (area median income) allowances for housing funded under those ballot programs. She said Pitkin County will receive a jurisdiction‑specific housing needs assessment and that the region will also get an updated umbrella report similar to the county’s 2019 study. Pearl said the county may benefit from a Prop 1/2/3‑compliant assessment even if the county does not immediately apply for a waiver; the assessment could improve competitiveness for some discretionary grants and projects.

Commissioner Jeffrey Woodruff earlier said he would abstain; Commissioner Francie Jacober initially said she planned to vote no but later withdrew that opposition during debate. Commissioner Greg Poshman moved approval and Chair Kelly McNicholas Curry seconded. The board approved the resolution with three votes in favor and one abstention (Woodruff).

The board discussed the practical effect of compliance: Pearl said the 2019 regional study and other recent regional reports do not meet the technical requirements of the state statute or Prop 1/2/3 guidance. She said EPS has previously supported a successful Prop 1/2/3 AMI waiver and that the consultant’s methods were the reason Aspen retained EPS. County staff noted the housing needs assessment will not include recommendations; it will report the magnitude and types of need by income category and housing type. Commissioners said interpretation of the assessment will inform future local policy and the county’s housing strategic plan.

Pearl and staff said Aspen holds the contract and will manage the scope; Pitkin County will contribute financially (roughly a third of the Aspen contract term) rather than hold the prime contract. The final report will be presented to the board at a later date.