What does it really take to develop property in a Colorado mountain town, and why do some projects succeed while others never get off the ground?

In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with longtime Salida resident, realtor, and developer Walt Harder to unpack the realities of real estate development in mountain communities.

With over 20 years of experience in both real estate and development, Walt shares what most people do not see behind the scenes, from navigating land use and zoning to identifying opportunities and managing risk.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level real estate talk and dives into how development actually works in places like Salida and across Colorado.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What real estate development looks like in mountain towns like Salida
• Why development projects are more complex than most people realize
• How zoning, land use, and local regulations impact what can be built
• What makes a property a strong development opportunity
• Why off-market properties can be some of the best opportunities
• The biggest risks and challenges developers face in Colorado

Ashley helps break down the legal and land use considerations involved in development. Jessica brings insight into how development connects to the local real estate market and community demand.

Walt brings decades of hands-on experience, offering a real-world perspective on what it takes to successfully navigate development in mountain communities.

Walt Harder is the owner and managing broker of Harder Real Estate and Development, LLC, and has been a Salida resident for over 20 years. Since moving to Salida in 2000, Walt has built a career that spans residential, commercial, industrial, and retail development across Colorado and beyond. With a deep understanding of both real estate and land development, he brings a unique perspective to identifying opportunities and navigating complex projects. Walt is also the owner of Timber Creek Ranch, reflecting his passion for land, space, and the Colorado lifestyle.

Links:
Website: http://hred.co
Facebook: Walt Harder, Harder Real Estate and Development

Subscribe for more conversations about real estate, law, and community in the Colorado Rockies.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/

What happens when a community does not have enough senior housing, assisted living, or memory care options?

In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with local leaders Marilyn Bouldin and Andi Bruno to discuss the growing need for senior housing in Salida and across Colorado mountain towns.

As populations age and housing options remain limited, communities are facing difficult questions about how to support residents who want to stay but may not have the care options they need.

This conversation explores how real estate, healthcare, and community planning intersect, and why this issue impacts more than just seniors.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why senior housing and assisted living are critical in mountain communities
• The challenges of creating memory care and aging support locally
• What happens when residents are forced to leave their community for care
• How nonprofit efforts like Places to Age are working toward solutions
• Why this issue affects families, housing, and the broader community

Ashley helps connect the legal and planning considerations around housing and care facilities. Jessica brings insight into how housing limitations impact availability and demand in the local market.

Marilyn and Andi provide firsthand perspective on the needs within the community and the efforts underway to address them.

Marilyn Bouldin
Marilyn Bouldin is a retired registered nurse and former Director of Chaffee County Public Health. She has served on the board of Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center and is a cofounder of Chaffee County Women Who Care. Marilyn currently serves as Vice Chair of the board for Places to Age, a nonprofit focused on bringing assisted living and memory care to the community.

Links:
Website: http://www.placestoage.org
Facebook: Places to Age

Andi Bruno
Andi Bruno is a Colorado native and retired business owner with a background in Silicon Valley startups. She founded her own business in 2003 and successfully exited in 2014. Since returning to Colorado, she has been actively involved in community efforts and previously served as Chair of Places to Age, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding senior housing and care options in Chaffee County.

Links:
Website: http://www.placestoage.org

Subscribe for more conversations about real estate, law, and community in the Colorado Rockies.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/

Can affordable housing actually work in a Colorado mountain town, or is it financially impossible without major tradeoffs?

In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with Paul Andrews, developer of The Crossing in Buena Vista, a community designed to be 50% affordable housing.

Paul brings decades of high-level real estate and financial experience to this conversation and shares what it really took to bring this project to life. From infrastructure costs and financing to deed restrictions and community pushback, this episode breaks down the real challenges behind building housing that people can actually afford.

This is not theory. It is a real-world look at what it takes to solve one of the biggest issues facing mountain communities.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What a 50% affordable housing model looks like in Buena Vista
• Why infrastructure and financing are the biggest barriers to affordability
• How grants, partnerships, and timing made this project possible
• What deed restrictions are and how they preserve long-term affordability
• Why smaller homes and creative design are key to lowering costs
• The risks involved, including putting personal finances on the line
• Whether this model can realistically be replicated in other mountain towns

Ashley brings a legal lens to zoning, deed restrictions, and policy considerations. Jessica connects the conversation to real market conditions and what buyers are experiencing on the ground.

Paul shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a community from the ground up, including the vision, the risk, and why this work matters for the future of Buena Vista and beyond.

Paul Andrews is the developer behind The Crossing in Buena Vista, a community designed to provide a mix of affordable and market-rate housing in a mountain town setting. Originally from England, Paul has an extensive background in finance and real estate, including leadership roles as CFO at Madison Marquette, Vail Resorts Development Company, and EverWest Real Estate Investors.

Over his career, he has completed more than $2 billion in real estate financings and helped grow EverWest into a $5 billion institutional real estate platform. After retiring in 2022, Paul shifted his full focus to The Crossing and other Colorado mountain real estate projects, bringing his experience, capital, and long-term vision to addressing housing challenges in communities like Buena Vista.

Links:
Website: http://www.thecrossingbv.com
Instagram: @thecrossingbv
Facebook: The Crossing BV
LinkedIn: The Crossing BV

Subscribe for more conversations about real estate, law, and community in the Colorado Rockies.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/