In the Gunnison Valley, there are two main types of rental properties: free market and affordable. Understanding the difference can help you know where to look and what to expect during your search.

Free market rentals refer to homes or apartments that are rented directly by owners or property managers. They set the price, and you sign a lease with them. The rent may or may not fit within your budget.

Affordable rentals are different. Tax dollars contributed to the construction of these homes in some capacity, which lowers the rental price. To qualify, renters must meet certain income, residency, or employment requirements. See more on qualification criteria below.

• Important: Before you can rent an affordable home, you must be approved. This is typically done through the local government that the home exists in. For a home located in the Town of Crested Butte, contact housing@crestedbutte-co.gov; for Mt Crested Butte, contact finance@mtcb.colorado.gov; for the City of Gunnison, contact SMatthias@gunnisoncounty.org; for a home located outside any of either Town or City but within Gunnison County, contact SMatthias@gunnisoncounty.org.
• It’s a good idea to plan ahead and contact the local jurisdiction when you are looking for a rental home.

Free Market Rentals

You can find listings for long-term rentals through:

• Facebook groups:
  • Gunnison Marketplace
  • Gunnison Valley Housing Hub Page
• Local classifieds:
  • Gunnison Country Times
  • Crested Butte News
• Property management companies:
  • Crested Butte Lodging
  • Gunnison Real Estate & Rentals
  • Peak Property Management
• Craigslist Western Slope Rentals

Affordable Rentals

If you’re seeking an affordable rental:

• Visit the Gunnison County Housing Authority GCHA website to view current affordable housing listings
• Add your name to the Rental Interest List through GCHA

If you’re simply looking for a rental that fits your budget but don’t want or need a subsidized home, explore the free market listings above.

Just like rental properties, homes for sale in the Gunnison Valley generally fall into two categories: free market and affordable (aka deed restricted). Knowing the difference can help you understand your options and what’s required before you buy.

Free market homes are sold by real estate professionals or individual owners at prices they set based on market demand. Anyone can purchase a free market home, and the price may or may not fit within your budget.

Deed Restricted homes, on the other hand, are built with the help of public funding, which lowers the purchase price. In exchange for a lower price, there are requirements about who can buy the home, often based on local employment, residency, or income. These requirements are outlined in a legal document called a deed restriction, which also explains how the home can be resold in the future. Read more on deed restrictions above.

Before buying a deed restricted home, it’s important to review and understand the deed restriction carefully. To purchase the home, you will need to sign the deed restriction, which means you’re agreeing to follow its terms for as long as you own it. If your residency, employment, or income changes significantly after buying the home, you may need to consider homes with less strict requirements or a free market home.

Remember, there are many different types of deed restrictions, so don’t make assumptions based on the experiences of others.

Free Market Homes

You can find listings for free-market homes through local realtors, MLS sites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com, and individual brokerage websites.

Affordable Homes

If you’re seeking a deed-restricted or income-qualified home to buy:

• Visit the Gunnison County Housing Authority’s (GCHA) website for Current Listings.
• Search for listings through local realtors or websites like Zillow. Look for mentions of “for local residents” or “deed-restricted” in the description.
• Many local realtors are experienced in buying and selling deed-restricted homes. Work with a realtor who can help connect you with the qualification and approval process.
• Watch for lotteries, which are held when certain affordable homes become available. In a lottery, all qualified buyers have an equal chance at being selected to purchase the home, rather than the home being sold to the highest bidder or on a first-come, first-served basis. Lotteries are advertised in local newspapers and local government websites.
• Add your name to the Ownership Interest List on the GCHA website to be notified when new homes are available.

• Get qualified: Before you can buy an affordable home, you must be approved. This is typically done through the local government that the home exists in. For a home located in the Town of Crested Butte, contact housing@crestedbutte-co.gov; for Mt Crested Butte, contact finance@mtcb.colorado.gov; for the City of Gunnison, contact SMatthias@gunnisoncounty.org; for a home located outside any of either Town or City but within Gunnison County, contact SMatthias@gunnisoncounty.org. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and contact the local jurisdiction when you are starting your search.

Several programs can help local residents with energy costs, home efficiency, and other essential expenses:

• The State of Colorado Property Tax, Rent, and Heat Credit (PTC) Rebate is available for Colorado residents with low incomes who are older or have disabilities.

• The GV-Home Energy Advancement Team (GV-HEAT) Program operates locally, connecting owners and renters to financial resources that help improve the energy efficiency, comfort, and affordability of homes in Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties. These resources are available based on income and include programs like CARE and WAP.

• The GreenDeed Program is available for Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte deed restricted homes and offers an energy assessment, along with $5000 in potential upgrades for lighting, insulation, and air sealing to reduce energy costs.
• The Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. For details and eligibility requirements, call Gunnison County Health and Human Services at 970-641-3244.

If you’re experiencing a housing crisis, there are local programs that can help you find immediate support and short-term options:

• Project Hope offers 24/7 emergency assistance and shelter for victims of domestic violence.
• Colorado Legal Services provides legal help to low-income and senior Coloradans regarding tenant rights, unsafe housing conditions, security deposits, landlords raising rent, eviction, public housing issues, and other non-housing topics. Visit their website to contact the Northwest Project, or call 1-800-521-6968.
• The Town of Crested Butte Temporary Camping Permit allows temporary camping for tents, vans, and mobile homes within town limits from May 1 to October 31 for those without stable housing.
• Gunnison County Health and Human Services may be able to provide one-time rental assistance or emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

The rights and rules for Colorado renters were updated most recently in Nov. 2024 by the Colorado legislature. You can access the “Colorado Law Summary: Renters’ Rights” document online.

Los derechos y las normas para los inquilinos de Colorado fueron actualizados por última vez en noviembre de 2024 por la legislatura de Colorado. Haga clic aquí para español: Derechos de los Inquilinos de Colorado.

Finding a place to rent in the Gunnison Valley can be challenging for several reasons. Many rentals are owned by individual landlords who advertise vacancies in different places, so listings can be hard to track down. Once people find a good rental, they tend to stay put, which means turnover is low and new openings are rare. The Gunnison Valley’s desirability also adds to the challenge, with factors like tourism, a strong second-home market, and an increase in remote workers who can afford higher rents all contributing to limited availability and rising prices.

The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) offers down payment grants up to $25,000 or 3% of the home price to qualified applicants. (Example: Get up to $6,000 on a $200,000 mortgage). Visit their website for more information about requirements and next steps.

The Gunnison County Association of Realtors also offers a Homebuyer Assistance Program, providing small grants to first-time homebuyers in the Gunnison Valley.

Affordable homes are designed to serve local residents and workers for the long term, but they’re not cheap to build. In the Gunnison Valley, land, materials, and labor all come at a premium, just like any other construction project in a rural, high-cost, resort area. There are few discounts or special rates to build affordable housing, even when the end goal is affordability.

These homes also have to meet local standards for safety, durability, and energy efficiency so they can remain part of our community for decades. Add in limited funding and a short building season, and it’s easy to see why these projects take time and resources to complete.

To learn more about what drives costs, why timelines are long, and how organizations like VHF help close the gap, read our full blog: The Bigger Picture Behind Affordable Housing Costs and Timelines.