Developer Submits Plans To Revive Stagecoach As Private Ski Resort

Routt County, Colorado — Since its short-lived run as a ski space within the Seventies, Stagecoach has been caught in many years of rumors relating to its revival. Nevertheless, its greatest likelihood at a comeback could also be proper now, and it comes from a developer that skiers and riders are acquainted with.

Final 12 months, it was revealed that the Discovery Land Firm (the true property builders behind the Yellowstone Membership) is attempting to construct a brand new residential group on the former Stagecoach ski space. The corporate plan to revive the ski space as a part of a non-public group. This led to concern amongst locals, who feared that it could make an already costly group much more expensive and alter the character of the world. In response to a public assembly with involved residents this previous summer season, the builders delayed their software to Routt County to be able to modify its plans.

Final week, the Discovery Land Firm submitted its newest software to Routt County that may convert the misplaced ski space right into a luxurious actual property group. Essentially the most noticeable edit was the elimination of a golf course and houses across the Stagecoach Reservoir. A golf course might come sooner or later, however they intention to take action by listening to group suggestions. The variety of residences proposed has additionally been lowered from 800 to 613.

Discovery plans to construct spots which can be accessible to the group. The event would have a big group market, which would come with a meals market, cafe, fuel station, and daycare. Subsequent to that may be a multifamily housing constructing and a group park the place folks might hang around, and occasions could be held. As well as, Discovery plans to construct 137 items of important and employee housing, 95 of which might be inexpensive housing for anybody, and 42 could be for employees at Stagecoach. Varied infrastructure initiatives are deliberate that may profit the group, together with a brand new cellular phone tower and upgrades to the amenities at Stagecoach State Park Morrison Cove. Discovery estimates that the event would generate round $29 million in property tax revenues yearly.

The proposed ski resort would characteristic 776 skiable acres (426 acres of groomed terrain and 350 acres of glades). This terrain would serviced by six new lifts, one among which might be a gondola. The remaining lifts that presently exist on the property could be eliminated. 4-day lodges and two small cabins would make up the on-mountain snowboarding infrastructure.

In the end, the ski resort portion of the property (i.e., the lifts and trails) could be out there for members solely. Nevertheless, Ed Divita, a founding accomplice of the Discovery Land Firm, informed the Yampa Valley Bugle that they’re contemplating doing a group day as soon as a season that may permit locals to ski the slopes. Some personal ski resorts, just like the Hermitage Membership in Vermont, supply this type of day every season for locals.

“I’ve talked to some folks and we’re researching if we might have some group ski day with out having a serious site visitors influence and inflicting an issue or inflicting a [property tax] evaluation drawback,” Divita informed the Yampa Valley Bugle.

One other sticky level for Discovery regards residents who presently dwell across the Stagecoach space. In a July article from the Colorado Solar, residents voiced their issues that the event would sharply improve property taxes. Divita informed the Yampa Valley Bugle that they’re working with Gary Peterson, who’s the Routt County Treasurer, to make sure the present-day residents’ property taxes don’t improve.

This approval course of is predicted to take a while. The primary conferences between Discovery and Routt County are anticipated to happen subsequent 12 months and can probably be nicely attended and publicized. They hope to obtain a choice from Routt County in 2026.