Aspen airport operator donates $1 million to help two Roaring Fork Valley mobile home parks

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport’s fixed-base operator Atlantic Aviation has pledged $1 million to support the residents of two Roaring Fork Valley mobile home parks — one in Basalt and one in Carbondale — as they race against time to help residents purchase the land beneath their houses and preserve their communities. 

The donation marks a significant step toward the estimated $20 million or more needed to collectively acquire the parks, which are currently under contract with private buyers. If the residents of the park are unable to purchase their mobile home parks, they risk increasing rents and further development that could essentially price out any current, longtime residents.

Eric Newman, vice president of infrastructure and sustainability at Atlantic Aviation, emphasized that the company’s donation aligns with its broader commitment to equity and environmental responsibility. 

“This isn’t a one-off for us,” said Newman. “Atlantic Aviation has been working across the Roaring Fork Valley to support initiatives that uplift our local workforce, reduce displacement, and contribute to a more inclusive economy.”

The donation is directed toward the Aspen-Basalt Mobile Home Park, located in unincorporated Eagle County, and the Mountain Valley Mobile Home Park, situated in unincorporated Garfield County. 

Together, the parks are home to more than 450 residents, many of whom have lived there for more than a decade, and most of whom earn less than 80% of the area’s median income.

The contribution from Atlantic Aviation comes in response to Colorado’s 2020 “Mobile Home Park Act,” which grants residents the right of first refusal when their park is put up for sale. Under this law, homeowners have 120 days to match or exceed any third-party offer. With contracts already on the table — $26.5 million for the 75-unit Aspen-Basalt park and $15.5 million for the 64-unit Carbondale park — the clock is ticking.

“We’re thrilled to make this $1 million donation to help these families seize a rare opportunity to secure housing stability for generations to come,” said Jonathan Jones, general manager of Atlantic Aviation’s Aspen facility. “Affordable housing is critical to the fabric of our community, and these parks are home to the workers and families who keep this valley running.”

The Aspen-Basalt park spans 13.4 acres and houses roughly 250 residents including 84 children, 55 of whom are enrolled in Basalt schools. Over 60% of the residents have lived in the area for more than a decade. Average lot rent stands at $1,322 per month.

Mountain Valley, the Carbondale park, includes 64 units across 9.3 acres and shelters more than 200 people, including 65 children. More than half of the residents have lived in the park for over 10 years. Average monthly lot rent is currently $1,125.

April Long, the executive director of the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition, will be handling the donation in order to have a public/private fund to be able to help both mobile home communities buy their properties.

“The two parks have been listed for sale, with an offer in place, leaving 120 days for the residents to organize and purchase the parks themselves,” Long said. “My organization was brought in by the local governments in the area to see what, if any, roles local governments could play in supporting the residents to purchase the properties themselves.”

She said the residents would form an S-Corporation that would allow all the residents to collectively own the land. The specifics of how this would work would be handled by Thistle ROC, a nonprofit that specializes in mobile home parks responding during the 120-day timeframe and assisting the residents in organizing and carrying out a response to help with become their organization.

Atlantic Aviation has previously supported local causes through grants and service contributions, but this latest investment underscores the growing role that private entities are playing in addressing Colorado’s housing crisis. 

With the 120-day window already underway, the future of both parks hinges on the ability of residents and allies to secure sufficient capital — and fast.

“We need the community’s support,” said Jim Light, an affordable housing consultant working with Atlantic Aviation. “Every dollar counts, and this is a once-in-a-generation chance for these families to control their destiny.”

Housing advocates say additional financial support from individuals, philanthropic organizations, and local institutions is urgently needed if the residents are to raise the funds in time to counter the current purchase offers.