Eagle County partners with Colorado Mountain College on workforce housing

Eagle County is doubling Colorado Mountain College’s plans to build attainable housing at its campus in Edwards. Together, contributions from Eagle County and CMC will result in the construction of 72 units of new housing (96 beds total) for locals in Edwards.

“This collaborative effort between CMC and Eagle County is an example of two governments working together with urgency to address the housing crisis and support a healthy, sustainable economy,” said CMC President and CEO Carrie Besnette Hauser. “Housing is perhaps the biggest barrier facing CMC students on their path to earning a college degree or specialized training that will help them pursue a career in our mountain communities. This partnership is truly a win-win-win for the college, the county and the local workforce.”

Last year, the CMC Board of Trustees approved the construction of 36 apartments on its Edwards campus as part of a larger $45 million housing initiative that will add 144 total units to CMC campuses in Edwards, Breckenridge, Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs.

Recently, representatives from Eagle County contacted CMC to express interest in partnering with the college to add units using their own funds in Edwards.

“Difficult problems require innovative solutions,” said Eagle County Commissioner Matt Scherr. “Addressing housing affordability and availability is one of the most formidable challenges in Eagle County. The collaboration between CMC and the county brings together two visionary organizations that together are producing a synergistic result that will benefit our community for years to come.”

Eagle County will finance the design and construction of a second apartment building identical to the one already approved by the CMC Board of Trustees. The county’s contribution adds an additional 36 units (48 beds) to CMC’s project in Edwards, for a total of 72 two-bedroom and studio units (96 beds.)

The units in the building financed by Eagle County will be leased to eligible individuals at attainable prices in accordance with the county’s housing guidelines. Construction on the first building is underway and will be completed in early fall 2023. Construction on the second building will begin approximately three months from now and be completed in late fall 2023.

“We couldn’t be more excited about or grateful for this partnership with Eagle County,” said CMC’s trustee from Eagle County Chris Romer, who is also the president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership. “The county’s creativity coupled with the college’s nimbleness resulted in a remarkable outcome in record time.”

Marc Brennan, vice president and dean of the CMC campus at Vail Valley added, “Eagle County’s investment in additional housing at our campus will be transformational for our students, the community and the workforce - which are all one in the same. With expanded housing opportunities right here in the heart of Eagle County, we will be able to supply local employers with more graduates than we ever dreamed possible.”