A Transformative Village shaped by Community

GUNNISON, COLORADO

With the lack of housing for locals growing each year, we set out to build a neighborhood that meets the needs of those living and working here. The Gunnison Valley is a special place full of character, play, and people that genuinely care for each other. It’s a small town way of life that is hard to describe unless you’ve lived it and we hope this project helps to preserve that essence while being the start of a bigger answer to the housing dilemma at large.

Overview & Vision

We listened closely and designed West Thorn as a direct response to what the community told us it needs. Our plans resulted in welcoming pets, integrating walkability within the neighborhood, bus stops to get to and from Crested Butte, garden space in partnership with Mountain Roots and Sue Wyman, gear storage, open space, indoor event space for community gatherings, and long-term leasing and ownership opportunities for individuals, families, and employers.

New Housing Units

500

sq. ft. of Community Spaces

13k

Acres of Open Space

4.7

Types of Housing

22

Acres of Community Agriculture

1+

Greenhouses

5+

sq. ft. of Community Gear Storage

2.4K

Locally Operated Coffeeshop and Bakery

1

Ice Skating Pond

1

Community Daycare

1

ft of Irrigation Ditches

2K

Locals Participated in Public Survey

436

A CONNECTED COMMUNITY

Above all, we're building a neighborhood here residents of all backgrounds can put down roots without the seasonal scramble for housing. Walkable streets and public spaces tie into downtown, schools, and transit, making it easy to live here year round.

SUSTAINABLE & RESILIENT

After decades of living in the Valley, we understand the materials you build with will prove themselves over time. We have made a deliberate choice to build these apartments and homes to last a century or more, using sustainable materials that hold up in the alpine conditions and preserving the natural landscape.

A LOCAL VISION

This project isn't possible without input and dialogue from as many people as possible. Our goal is for West Thorn to feel like a collaborative community effort that provides high quality, accessible housing across a range of income levels, and that's built to sustain the Valley's community for generations to come.

A COLLABORATIVE VISION

A Village Designed around Food, Land, and Working Together

Food has a way of connecting people, supporting local farmers and engaging the youth within the community. We are building West Thorn as an “agrihood” in collaboration with Mountain Roots and Sue Wyman. This includes space for growing food and gathering built directly into the plans as a cornerstone of the area. Residents will have the opportunity to tend to the gardens and direct access to local food.

Project Partners & Team

  • LOCAL EMPLOYERS

    Businesses across Gunnison Valley are actively supporting this project as a way to attract and retain employees. By investing in West Thorn, employers are creating a more resilient workforce and contributing to the long-term local economy.

  • CITY OF GUNNISON

    Gunnison has a rich history of ranching, agriculture, mining, tourism and outdoor recreation. We are partnering with the city to connect West Thorn to the greater community.

  • GUNNISON RIVER PARTNERSHIP

    As the only Venture Capital group located in the Gunnison Valley, we work to energize and strengthen the overall economic vitality of the region by either growing existing businesses; supporting startup founders; or attracting promising businesses.

  • MOUNTAIN ROOTS

    Mountain Roots cultivates a resilient food system in Gunnison Valley, Colorado, by enhancing healthy connections between earth, food, and community.

  • URBAN VILLAGES

    Urban Villages is a team of entrepreneurs, environmentalists, artists, developers, builders, and investors. They look to the past to understand enduring principles and apply those insights to create progressive and intentional spaces for the benefit of community.

  • GUNNISON GARDENS

    Susan Wyman founded Gunnison Gardens in 2014 to fulfill her vision of growing delicious, nutritious, and affordable food for her community. Gunnison Gardens grows cold-hardy vegetables, fruits, poultry, and eggs without the use of artificial chemicals, herbicides, or pesticides. Sue believes that local food production is key to creating a resilient and secure future in the Valley.

THE WEST THORN TEAM

Decades in the Making

Over the past 50 years, Jeff Hermanson has lived, built businesses, and raised his family here in the Valley. This project is a reflection of the deep rooted respect Jeff and his family hold for how this valley has shaped their lives and a commitment to keeping that unique sense of community alive for future generations.

Inspiring a New Era of Attainable Housing

This project aims to inspire a new era of attainable housing in resort communities across the country, helping make long-term living in these places more feasible.

West Thorn began with conversations and evolved into a blueprint. Through open forums and ongoing outreach, we invited broad participation in the planning process. Over time, we heard consistent themes from employers, families, longtime residents, and members of the seasonal workforce who support the valley. Housing has become harder to find, harder to afford, and harder to maintain over the long term.

Project Amenities

  • Open Space

  • Community Agriculture

  • Daycare

  • Pet Friendly

  • Co-Working Space

  • Gear Storage

  • Local Bakery & Café

  • Community Barn with Gathering Spaces

Project Timeline

With support from local civic, philanthropic, and business leaders, this project embraces the community’s need for attainable housing.

2025

Spring Sketch Plan Submittal

Fall Preliminary Plat and PUD Submittals

2026

Construction Starts

2027 & Onward

First Units Delivered

PROJECT PROGRESS

Follow along on our project progress and join us in person at a community outreach event.

Two community outreach events with 436 votes and counting

  • Elks Club Bingo Night

  • Gunnison Rec Center

  • Gunnison County Library

  • Jorgensen Ice Rink