Steamboat Springs School District Affordable Housing Frequently Asked Questions

The Steamboat Springs School District (SSSD) is committed to addressing the critical need for affordable housing for teachers and staff. This Q&A provides detailed answers to common questions about the district's efforts, including potential housing developments, collaboration with the City, and the decision-making process. Our goal is to ensure transparency and keep the community informed as we evaluate the best options to support our educators and maintain our commitment to students.

Last Updated: December 2024

1. What options is the district considering for affordable housing?

The district is researching various options to address affordable housing needs for teachers and staff. These include potential development at Whistler Park, other district-owned properties like land near Sleeping Giant School, and purchasing existing housing units. No final decisions have been made, as we are committed to thoroughly evaluating all possibilities.

2.  How many units does the district estimate it will need to acquire?

 We currently estimate that between 15 and 20 housing units will be needed to help address our staff's housing needs. These units could be obtained through various approaches, such as developing housing on district-owned land or purchasing units from other entities.

3. If the district decides to develop Whistler Park, will they utilize the entire Whistler Park property? 

 Our vision has never been to develop large-scale housing across the entire 9.2 acres of the District’s parcel. Instead, our plan has focused on creating a smaller housing development while preserving the remaining area as a park, recognizing the importance of maintaining the neighborhood’s character. We believe that any SSSD staff living in the proposed housing would also appreciate and benefit from having access to this open space.

4. When will a decision be made on housing? 

The Board of Education will make a decision after carefully reviewing all available options. This process may take several months to ensure the best outcomes for staff and the community.

5. Is the district considering a bond to fund housing?

No, the district is not considering a bond. Instead, we aim to leverage existing resources to fund the development or acquisition of affordable housing units.

6. Would developing Whistler Park require leveling existing houses?

No. Any development at Whistler Park would utilize open land, ensuring no impact on existing homes.

7. Could the City purchase Whistler Park from the Steamboat School District?

At this time, Whistler Park is not for sale. Should the district decide to sell, the Board of Education would review offers with a focus on maximizing the property’s value and ensuring that any sale serves our students’ best interests.

8. Could the City obtain a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) on Whistler Park?

The district could grant the City a ROFR, but this may affect the the property’s value and marketability. Such decisions require thoughtful evaluation of their long-term implications. 

9. Is a land swap with Memorial Park an option?

A land swap between the City and the District is possible but would need to meet value equivalency requirements. Memorial Park spans 7.62 acres, while the district’s Whistler Park parcel covers 9.2 acres. Additionally, since Memorial Park is City property, any trade would require voter approval per the City Charter.

10. Why is the district now considering housing options on more properties?

Two years ago, a state grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) led to initial planning for housing at Whistler Park. Due to a state-issued "stop work" order on the grant, SSSD understands the increasing urgency of housing for our staff; the district is now exploring additional options, including developing on property near Sleeping Giant School and purchasing existing units.

11. Was Whistler Park originally intended as a public park?

Whistler Park was purchased by the district in 1980 for $134,750 as a district asset. The deed does not restrict the property’s use, providing flexibility for potential uses that support the district’s mission.

12. If Whistler Park has been used as a park for years, why change its use now?

The district has a License Agreement with the City that allows the property’s use for recreational purposes. The District can terminate the license by notifying the City. If this notice is given between March 1 and August 31, the City is allowed to continue using the property until August 31, with an additional 30 days to remove any improvements. For notices issued in other months, the City has 30 days, plus an extra 30 outdoor working days, to restore the property to its original condition.

While Colorado has a “park by implication” rule for city-owned lands, this rule has not been applied to school district-owned properties.

13. Has the school district engaged with the City on this issue?

Yes, Dr. Wicks regularly invites City Council members to attend school board meetings and has offered to speak at City Council meetings to ensure open communication on this matter. Recently, Gail Garey and Steve Muntean met directly with Dr. Wicks and Katy Lee, Board President.

Steamboat Senior Planer Brad Calvert also delivered an informal presentation at the  BOE meeting on November 18, outlining the pipeline of affordable housing options the city is working to establish. The goal of the presentation was to confirm with BOE that they would like to continue to have conversations with the city on how these options might fit into the BOE’s short- and long-term goals of addressing affordable housing for teachers and staff. 

14. Why doesn’t the community have decision-making authority over school district property?

School districts in Colorado are quasi-municipal corporations. A quasi-municipal corporation is a political subdivision of a state that has many of the same powers as a municipality, including the ability to borrow money, construct capital improvements, enter into contracts, levy taxes and special assessments, and own or sell property. Therefore, the school board is permitted to utilize assets as they deem appropriate. 

CRS 22-32-101:

"Each regularly organized school district heretofore or hereafter formed is declared to be a body corporate with perpetual existence, and in its name it may hold property for any purpose authorized by law, sue and be sued, and be a party to contracts for any purpose authorized by law." Colo. Rev. Stat. § 22-32-101 Corporate status of school districts (Colorado Revised Statutes (2024 Edition))

CRS 22-32-110, in part:

(1) In addition to any other power granted to a board of education of a school district by law, each board of education of a school district has the following specific powers, to be exercised in its judgment:

(a) To take and hold in the name of the district so much real and personal property located within or outside the territorial limits of the district as may be reasonably necessary for any purpose authorized by law;

(b) To purchase on such terms, including but not limited to installment purchase plans, as the board sees fit and necessary or to lease or rent, with or without an option to purchase, undeveloped or improved real property located within or outside the territorial limits of the district or equipment on such terms as the board sees fit for use as school sites, buildings, or structures, or for any school purpose authorized by law; to determine the location of each school site, building, or structure; and to construct, erect, repair, alter, and remodel buildings and structures;...

(e) To sell and convey district property which may not be needed within the foreseeable future for any purpose authorized by law, upon such terms and conditions as it may approve; and to lease any such property, pending sale thereof, under an agreement of lease, with or without an option to purchase the same...

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 22-32-110 Board of education - specific powers - definitions (Colorado Revised Statutes (2024 Edition))

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 22-32-110 Board of education - specific powers - definitions (Colorado Revised Statutes (2024 Edition))

15. How is the school district keeping the public updated on these developments? 

We provide regular updates on our website and during Board of Education meetings, which are live-streamed and recorded. Board members also work closely with district administrators to align communication efforts.