Routt County, Colorado — Since its short-lived run as a ski area in the 1970s, Stagecoach has been caught in decades of rumors regarding its revival. However, its best chance at a comeback may be right now, and it comes from a developer that skiers and riders are familiar with.
Last year, it was revealed that the Discovery Land Company (the real estate developers behind the Yellowstone Club) is trying to build a new residential community at the former Stagecoach ski area. The company plan to revive the ski area as part of a private community. This led to concern among locals, who feared that it would make an already expensive community even more pricey and change the character of the area. In response to a public meeting with concerned residents this past summer, the developers delayed their application to Routt County in order to modify its plans.
Last week, the Discovery Land Company submitted its latest application to Routt County that would convert the lost ski area into a luxury real estate community. The most noticeable edit was the elimination of a golf course and homes around the Stagecoach Reservoir. A golf course could come in the future, but they aim to do so by listening to community feedback. The number of residences proposed has also been reduced from 800 to 613.
Discovery plans to build spots that are accessible to the community. The development would have a large community marketplace, which would include a food market, cafe, gas station, and daycare. Next to that would be a multifamily housing building and a community park where people could hang out, and events would be held. In addition, Discovery plans to build 137 units of essential and worker housing, 95 of which would be affordable housing for anyone, and 42 would be for workers at Stagecoach. Various infrastructure projects are planned that would benefit the community, including a new cell phone tower and upgrades to the facilities at Stagecoach State Park Morrison Cove. Discovery estimates that the development would generate around $29 million in property tax revenues annually.
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The proposed ski resort would feature 776 skiable acres (426 acres of groomed terrain and 350 acres of glades). This terrain would serviced by six new lifts, one of which would be a gondola. The remaining lifts that currently exist on the property would be removed. Four-day lodges and two small cabins would make up the on-mountain skiing infrastructure.
Ultimately, the ski resort portion of the property (i.e., the lifts and trails) would be available for members only. However, Ed Divita, a founding partner of the Discovery Land Company, told the Yampa Valley Bugle that they’re considering doing a community day once a season that would allow locals to ski the slopes. Some private ski resorts, like the Hermitage Club in Vermont, offer this kind of day each season for locals.
“I have talked to some people and we are researching if we could have some community ski day without having a major traffic impact and causing a problem or causing a [property tax] assessment problem,” Divita told the Yampa Valley Bugle.
Another sticky point for Discovery regards residents who currently live around the Stagecoach area. In a July article from the Colorado Sun, residents voiced their concerns that the development would sharply increase property taxes. Divita told the Yampa Valley Bugle that they’re working with Gary Peterson, who’s the Routt County Treasurer, to ensure the present-day residents’ property taxes don’t increase.
This approval process is expected to take some time. The first meetings between Discovery and Routt County are expected to occur next year and will likely be well attended and publicized. They hope to receive a decision from Routt County in 2026.
Image Credits: Discovery Land Company, Skimap.org