Owning Real Estate in Colorado Is Not Just a Dream
Courtesy Real Colorado Properties
Aspen is now a hub for luxury shopping and expensive restaurants—a place where the rich and famous are there to outspend each other on luxury housing and gourmet lattes. It has become challenging to find like-minded people drawn to the beauty of the mountains and the rugged, athletic lifestyle they offer. But a different story exists down the valley in the heart of Colorado. It is the story of real mountain people building lives, raising families, and enjoying the authentic adventure the Rockies provide. You don’t have to be wealthy to live the mountain dream.
Take Carbondale, for example, where the true mountain spirit thrives—wide-open spaces, chickens in the yard, and a community that lives for adventure. In Carbondale, I spend my mornings riding the Prince Creek Mountain Bike Trails and my afternoons floating on the Roaring Fork River in my inflatable kayak. The awe-inspiring Crystal Valley, with views of Redstone and Marble, never disappoints. Heading south on Highway 133, over McClure Pass, I reach the charming town of Paonia—where you can have everything. Socially, you can enjoy time at local wineries while baby goats play and graze in the green fields each spring, all framed by snow-capped mountains. You can enjoy this lifestyle without the stress of Aspen’s skyrocketing housing market, constant hustle, traffic, and swanky popularity scene.
West on Highway 82, you’ll also find authentic mountain living in small towns, where you can live the mountain lifestyle without Aspen’s housing prices. New Castle offers 76 miles of mountain bike trails and river access, where boaters can float down the Colorado River. Plan a float trip with friends from New Castle to Rifle for dinner and a show at the Ute Theater, or stay on the river until you get to Palisade for a wine-tasting tour. Living in Rifle, like Aspen and Carbondale, you have the luxury of waking up surrounded by the White River National Forest.
Do you live in APCHA (Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority) housing or GCHA (Garfield County Housing Authority)? You don’t have to feel stuck or locked out of the real estate market. The dream of homeownership isn’t just for the elite in Aspen or the wealthy from other states—it’s for everyone who wants to invest in their future and be part of a vibrant Colorado community. You can own a home in beautiful towns outside the Ownership Exclusion Zones (OEZ). Are you concerned about down payments or closing costs? Colorado offers several state programs designed to make homeownership more affordable. Programs like those through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) provide down payment assistance grants and loans. Just talk to your local mortgage broker to learn more.
When you’re ready to make a real estate move, United Country Real Colorado Properties, with our expert team—Julie Lang and Renee Morrison—is here to help you make that dream a reality. We specialize in finding the perfect property outside the exclusion zone in towns over McClure Pass, like Crawford, Hotchkiss, Paonia, and Grand Mesa. Or over Independence Pass in cities like Buena Vista, Leadville, Twin Lakes, and Salida. Buena Vista even boasts a music festival that rivals the likes of Jazz Aspen! For example, the Yahn Dawn – Pretty Lights Festival, taking place June 27–28, 2025, at Meadow Creek, is a two-day music and camping festival featuring full-band performances, creekside activities, and immersive art installations.
So, if you’re living in Aspen Employee Housing and feel trapped by the Ownership Exclusion Zone, don’t despair. There are options! With United Country Real Colorado Properties by your side, you can find a weekend getaway or a permanent place to call home—all without the financial pressures of buying in Aspen. Let us help you find a home where you can work, live, and raise your family without breaking the bank.
United Country Real Colorado Properties has specialized in mountain and ranch real estate for over 100 years. Our mission is simple: to help families build memories and create a future as prosperous as the land we live on. We focus on helping you find a place to truly build your life, not on chasing million-dollar investments.
If you’re looking for a place to escape Aspen’s crowds, traffic, and hustle, a spot in Western Colorado is waiting for you. Don’t let Aspen’s high cost of living hold you back from the mountain lifestyle you’ve always wanted. With Julie Lang and Renee Morrison by your side, we’ll help you find a place to live the mountain lifestyle, all while staying within your budget.
Contact us today to find your perfect property in Western Colorado. Your mountain dream is waiting!
Julie Lang
julie.lang007@comcast.net
970-379-1728
Renee Morrison
renee.prowest@gmail.com
970-260-2018
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