Residents in Garfield County push for affordable housing funding

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. — Residents in Garfield County are pushing for access to affordable housing funds. They’re asking their county commissioners to opt-in to Prop 123, which would unlock state money for projects. 

On Monday morning, residents and supporters made their case before the county and all three commissioners voted to approve opting-in to Prop 123. 

Prop 123 was approved by voters back in 2022. It created the “State Affordable Housing Fund,” which sets aside a portion of annual state income tax revenue from the general fund to address housing affordability challenges. Jurisdictions in Colorado have to opt-in to get access to this money and that’s what residents in Garfield County asked commissioners to do during their meeting on Monday morning. 

“The county has done a lot to help it grow, but they haven’t done a lot to help the people stay and I think this is just something that could help people stay,” said Gabby Jimenez, who spoke in front of commissioners. “As someone who’s lived there for 20 years and has lived in this community and wants to continue to live in this community, it means a lot to me that they take care of those people versus trying to push for tourists or other people to come into the area.”

Jimenez and about 20 other families live in 3 Mile Mobile Home Park, just south of Glenwood Springs. Residents have plans in the future to purchase the land themselves so it can be community-owned. But, before they can do that, Jimenez said they have to fix some critical infrastructure problems. 

She said the only bridge and access into the park needs repairs and residents believe funding from Prop 123 would help lessen the financial burden on working families. 

Jimenez has lived in the park her entire life. She’s a substitute teacher in Glenwood Springs right now with plans to continue living and working as an educator in the community. 

She said securing this funding will help working class families who live there keep their homes in an area that has become increasingly expensive.

“It’s, I think, very vital just to continue to allow Aspen and all the other communities around here to continue to thrive and if we take away the working class or those people who have to apply for affordable housing, you’re removing a large majority of people and a large majority of the workforce,” said Jimenez. 

9NEWS spoke with two of the three county commissioners last week. Both said they wanted to hear comments from the community before deciding which way they would vote. 

There is some worry about over-building and the impact that would have on infrastructure by opting-in to this fund, while others believe the money will be used for people already living and working in the area.