Brown Ranch Community Solutions Project

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Intro

City Council called for a community process to understand the role Brown Ranch could play in Steamboat’s workforce housing future. The goal is to bring people together after the failed annexation vote, engage a wide range of voices, and create a public, transparent way to explore options for moving the community forward


History

In 2021, the Yampa Valley Housing Authority (YVHA) purchased the 534-acre Brown Ranch property with a historic $24 million anonymous donation. The goal was simple: create homes local people can afford. While the first annexation proposal was voted down in 2023 (58% against, 42% in favor), the need for housing has only grown.


Where We Are Now

In 2024, the City, with YVHA as a critical partner, launched the Brown Ranch Community Solutions Project: a collaborative, community-driven effort to explore whether—and how—Brown Ranch can be part of a broader, multi-pronged approach to workforce housing.

Through dozens of meetings, workshops, and conversations, the community is helping shape a potential path forward through two distinct phases. Background research was compiled into a situational analysis report in 2024, which led to the development of Phase One as described below.

The project started in summer of 2024 and ramped up in 2025 with 1:1, small groups, DST and community meetings running concurrently.

The project started in summer of 2024 and ramped up in 2025 with 1:1, small groups, DST and community meetings running concurrently.The Deliberation and Stewardship Team

A Deliberation and Stewardship Team (DST) of 40 residents was formed through a representative lottery using Panelot, a not-for-profit computer tool that ensured diverse perspectives. More than 80 people applied, reflecting strong community interest.

The team began meeting in May 2025 and, over four sessions, examined Steamboat’s housing challenges. Their Phase 1 recommendation will help the City Council decide whether to continue exploring Brown Ranch at this time, with council retaining the ultimate decision.

1200-plus hours of community conversations including 1:1s, small groups, community workshops and more.


Wrapping Up Phase 1 - What We’ve Learned

After 1,200 hours of community conversations, Phase 1 wrapped up in late August. Below are just a few high-level takeaways that emerged from the DST and community meetings:

  • Local decisions are part of a larger puzzle—issues like housing, transit, and services are interconnected and require regional coordination.
  • There are housing gaps at almost all segments of the market, from restaurant workers, to health care workers, teachers, and new doctors, renters, first-time buyers, and move-up buyers.
  • Many are deeply worried about losing Steamboat’s character with growth, while describing the burden of high-cost housing and long commutes that deteriorate the quality of life.
  • No single approach (Brown Ranch, infill, or outlying communities like Hayden, Oak Creek, Craig) can meet the total need; each carries opportunities and tradeoffs.
  • Housing is increasingly unaffordable and unavailable; the need is both broad and deep.

Learn more about the DST and Community Workshops, see below.


Next Steps

On Tuesday, September 9, the Steamboat Springs City Council will hold a work session to review the DST’s recommendations and Phase 1 Report findings. The session will also be an opportunity for City Council to provide direction on next steps.

Intro

City Council called for a community process to understand the role Brown Ranch could play in Steamboat’s workforce housing future. The goal is to bring people together after the failed annexation vote, engage a wide range of voices, and create a public, transparent way to explore options for moving the community forward


History

In 2021, the Yampa Valley Housing Authority (YVHA) purchased the 534-acre Brown Ranch property with a historic $24 million anonymous donation. The goal was simple: create homes local people can afford. While the first annexation proposal was voted down in 2023 (58% against, 42% in favor), the need for housing has only grown.


Where We Are Now

In 2024, the City, with YVHA as a critical partner, launched the Brown Ranch Community Solutions Project: a collaborative, community-driven effort to explore whether—and how—Brown Ranch can be part of a broader, multi-pronged approach to workforce housing.

Through dozens of meetings, workshops, and conversations, the community is helping shape a potential path forward through two distinct phases. Background research was compiled into a situational analysis report in 2024, which led to the development of Phase One as described below.

The project started in summer of 2024 and ramped up in 2025 with 1:1, small groups, DST and community meetings running concurrently.

The project started in summer of 2024 and ramped up in 2025 with 1:1, small groups, DST and community meetings running concurrently.The Deliberation and Stewardship Team

A Deliberation and Stewardship Team (DST) of 40 residents was formed through a representative lottery using Panelot, a not-for-profit computer tool that ensured diverse perspectives. More than 80 people applied, reflecting strong community interest.

The team began meeting in May 2025 and, over four sessions, examined Steamboat’s housing challenges. Their Phase 1 recommendation will help the City Council decide whether to continue exploring Brown Ranch at this time, with council retaining the ultimate decision.

1200-plus hours of community conversations including 1:1s, small groups, community workshops and more.


Wrapping Up Phase 1 - What We’ve Learned

After 1,200 hours of community conversations, Phase 1 wrapped up in late August. Below are just a few high-level takeaways that emerged from the DST and community meetings:

  • Local decisions are part of a larger puzzle—issues like housing, transit, and services are interconnected and require regional coordination.
  • There are housing gaps at almost all segments of the market, from restaurant workers, to health care workers, teachers, and new doctors, renters, first-time buyers, and move-up buyers.
  • Many are deeply worried about losing Steamboat’s character with growth, while describing the burden of high-cost housing and long commutes that deteriorate the quality of life.
  • No single approach (Brown Ranch, infill, or outlying communities like Hayden, Oak Creek, Craig) can meet the total need; each carries opportunities and tradeoffs.
  • Housing is increasingly unaffordable and unavailable; the need is both broad and deep.

Learn more about the DST and Community Workshops, see below.


Next Steps

On Tuesday, September 9, the Steamboat Springs City Council will hold a work session to review the DST’s recommendations and Phase 1 Report findings. The session will also be an opportunity for City Council to provide direction on next steps.

Page last updated: 08 Sep 2025, 04:38 PM