Wrapping Up 2023 With Gratitude
With the holidays just around the corner, there’s an undeniable excitement in the air as the town gears up for the festivities. We’ve already had some early December snowfall, allowing the back bowls to open and leaving us eagerly anticipating more snow before the year ends. The first half of December is a cherished time for locals to hit the slopes and savor the local dining scene before the holiday rush sets in. Personally, I’ve been taking full advantage of these opportunities myself. As we approach the end of 2023, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for being able to call this enchanting place home. In fact, here is a recently penned letter I wrote to the editor of the Vail Daily I would like to share with you:
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the immense gratitude I feel for raising my special needs daughter, Jade Ohde, in this remarkable community. One of the many highlights of her week, which brings joy not only to her but also to others, is volunteering at the Eagle Valley Community Market. Surrounded by an exceptional group of volunteers, employees, and businesses who generously donate to this important cause, Jade finds a sense of purpose that everyone should strive for in life.
Witnessing the work accomplished by these selfless volunteers and the dedicated TCM team fills Jade with a profound sense of accomplishment. This experience serves as a valuable life lesson, one that can only be taught through active participation in volunteering or making monetary contributions to the 50+ amazing various charities in the Vail Valley. I am incredibly proud of Jade and the example she sets for so many others. Not a day goes by without someone mentioning to me what a pillar of the community she has become; to the extent that I believe she could win any mayoral race!
Jade works for Vail Resorts, Route 6 and assisting an elderly woman in addition to volunteering with TCM and other charities. May all her work and volunteering efforts inspire others in our community to join the “family” of volunteers supporting the incredible EVCF organization, as well as the numerous other charities in need of assistance. Let us come together and make a difference in the lives of those who require our support.
Is Eagle County In It’s “Revitalization” Era?
Our local newspaper, The Vail Daily, recently published a great article detailing all of the new development projects that have either been recently completed or are in progress from Vail down to Gypsum. With our limited land space, these new development projects have a significant impact to our local economy and workforce, so don’t forget to check it out below in this newsletter.
My Passion Project Celebrates It’s 6th Issue!
Finally, perhaps the biggest news of the month is the release of the Winter edition of my passion project – The Little Blue Book magazine! This edition marks the 3rd year and 6th issue of the magazine of which I am so proud. Curious to know what’s inside this edition? You’ll discover some of my favorite local spots that elevate the Vail Valley lifestyle both on and off the slopes as well as some of the best ski destinations across the country. Click below to flip through the magazine!
Eagle County Assessor Mark Chapin Says: “Taxes Don’t Need To Skyrocket”
Property taxes can be complicated. Many people believe the county is responsible for all the property tax, which is paid annually to the county treasurer.
Property tax is actually collected by the county and distributed to a mix of taxing districts. The county’s portion is approximately 13% of the total property tax paid. Now, with the failure of Proposition HH in the November election and the resulting passage of Senate Bill 23B-001 by the Colorado General Assembly, Colorado property owners will still face increased property taxes in 2024.
Beyond legislative action like Senate Bill 23-001 or 23-108, property owners can involve themselves in the budget process. School boards, county commissioners, city councils and special districts are responsible for determining how much revenue will be needed to operate the next fiscal year. Contact them — this is where your property tax is determined and where you can have a voice. Continue Reading Here
From Vail to Gypsum, here’s a quick look at some of the new development projects that are happening. For more information about any of these projects, feel free to reach out to me and I can help!
RESIDENCES AT MAIN VAIL (VAIL)
The building is a 72-unit apartment complex called the Residences at Main Vail and is a 100% deed-restricted housing project that was built by the town of Vail to accommodate local workers. The town broke ground on the $25-million project in November of 2021 and celebrated its completion in October.
MARRIOTT RESIDENCE INN HOTEL (VAIL)
The new hotel was developed by Sunridge Hotel Group and opened in September after three years of construction. In addition to the 146-room hotel, there are five employee housing units on site, as well.
NEW MULTI-UNIT DEVELOPMENT (BEAVER CREEK)
I can’t say much yet, but I just got word of a brand-new development of 12 residences that will be released next year. It marks a very exciting new project within the gates of Beaver Creek. You won’t want to miss this one, so reach out to me for more details!
MAVERICK GAS STATION & CONVENIENCE STORE (AVON)
Right off the interstate at exit 168 is the new Maverick gas station with an electric car charging station and 12 fuel pump spaces. The convenience store is located within a new, 4,425-square-foot building that was originally approved in 2021 as part of the larger Village at Avon project in East Avon. It opened in September.
MARRIOTT SPRINGHILL AND TOWNPLACE HOTELS (AVON)
Located adjacent to the new Maverik station, two new hotels are currently being constructed. One is a Marriott SpringHill hotel and the other is a Marriott TownePlace hotel; they will feature standard hotel rooms and extended-stay suites for a total of 243 rooms and are expected to open this ski season.
FRONTGATE | AVON (AVON)
The project consists of 75 condos, 9 townhomes and 2 workforce housing units. It has a lobby, a 10,000-square-foot outdoor aquatics area with a pool, a water slide and two hot tubs, one of which is about the size of a school bus — big enough for 40 people. There will be theater rooms, golf simulators, a family adventure zone with virtual reality pods and an arcade, and a shared office-workspace area for professionals working remotely. The building also contains a large ski locker room modeled after the Vail Mountain Club, along with a 3,600-square-foot fitness center. The first phase is starting to close next week including one I have under contract). There still are equity potential purchases available in this project, so contact me if interested in this complex.
ONE RIVERFRONT CONDOMINIUMS (AVON)
The project is a mix of 13 townhomes — 4-5 bedroom units that are 3,000 to 4,000 square feet — and 40 condominiums in a five-story building. Guests will find the properties functioning much like the nearby hotel at the Westin, with renters having access to the new building’s amenities — which include a rooftop bar, kids pool and three hot tubs. One Riverfront is targeting an early 2024 completion.
FREEDOM PARK & CMC CAMPUS APARTMENTS (EDWARDS)
Eagle County and Colorado Mountain College have collaborated on a two-building apartment complex between Freedom Park and the CMC campus. The project contains two buildings holding 72 rental units, for a total of 96 beds. Eagle County and the college each get one building. Each building is expected to cost about $10 million, and the first units should be available late this year.
PRECOURT HEALING CENTER (EDWARDS)
Vail Health is building the Precourt Healing Center, a three-story, 50,000-square-foot inpatient behavioral health facility that will contain 28 beds — 14 of which will be for adolescents and 14 of which will be for adults — offering 24-hour behavioral health care serving adults and adolescents in crisis. The facility is targeting a spring 2025 completion.
FOX HOLLOW APARTMENTS (EDWARDS)
The Fox Hollow project will consist of 87 workforce units containing 217 bedrooms. The entire project will be used for employee housing for Vail Health employees, with Vail Health purchasing 28 of the units and master leasing the remaining 59 units from Breckenridge Grand Vacations. It’s expected to be complete in the coming months.
NEW GOLF COURSE ON THE COLORADO RIVER (WOLCOTT)
Heading west from Edwards, at the northern edge of Eagle County near the Colorado River, a new privately owned golf course was built during the summer and fall of 2023. The six-green course is located on the west side of the road near the Two Bridges boat launch. While it’s not a full course, and won’t be open to the public, the project marks the first golf course to be built in Eagle County since Frost Creek, formerly known as Adam’s Rib, opened near the town of Eagle in 2008.
THE RESERVE AT HOCKETT GULCH (EAGLE)
The project is designed to provide “high-end finishes and functional living space with a mix of unit types, ranging from studio and one-bedroom units up to three-bedroom units,” according to the project narrative. Phase 1a of the development includes the construction of 216 units, with an additional 184 units in Phase 1b. The remaining allowable units (up to 500 units total) will be constructed in subsequent phases, according to the plan.
HAYMEADOW (EAGLE)
Haymeadow could one day bring 837 housing units to the area, and a first phase — including seven buildings and 76 total units — is currently being built along Brush Creek. The first phase is being called “7 Hermits” and contains 18 one-bedroom and 58 two-bedroom units; it’s slated for completion in 2024.
SIENNA LAKE (GYPSUM)
Southeast of the Eagle County Regional Airport, nearly 600 units have been approved for the project, known as Siena Lake, ranging from 400 to roughly 1,500 square feet. The developers were claiming that homes will be ready this year, but these clearly will not be completed by then. Contact me for more information on these if interested.
NEW TESLA DEALERSHIP (GYPSUM)
Last but not least, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the new Tesla sales, service and delivery center, located at 550 Plane Street in Gypsum. Construction of the 35,349-square-foot building was completed during the summer of 2023, but staffing the new Tesla center has proven to be a challenge, and it still remains closed as of this time.
The Back Bowls Are Open!
Vail Mountain dropped the ropes on Sun Down Bowl and Sun Up Bowl, allowing guests access to exit the back side of the mountain via Sun Up Express (No. 9) and High Noon Express (No. 5). Last season Sun Up Bowl opened on Dec. 15. But while Sun Up Bowl was open on Dec. 15, Chair 5 didn’t open until Dec. 28 last season, making this year’s Chair 5 opening by far the earliest in years. Continue Reading…
Boutique Celebrates 50 Years
In today’s retail climate, reaching a milestone like 50 years can be quite a feat, but Squash Blossom Vail is reaching that mark this December and continues to thrive. The Vail Village boutique offers everything from its gorgeous turquoise necklaces, for which the jewelry store is named, to some of the hottest designers on the scene today. What does the next 50 years hold? Look for rebranding and a new website and possibly a podcast in 2024. Continue Reading…
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