Harvest Roaring Fork: A New Vision for Community Living in the Roaring Fork Valley | Avant Garde Aspen Luxury Real Estate

The Roaring Fork Valley is no stranger to change. Over the decades, the landscape between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs has evolved alongside the people who call it home—shaped by agriculture, growth, preservation, and an increasing demand for housing that supports the local workforce.

One of the most closely watched proposed developments in recent years is Harvest Roaring Fork: a master-planned community envisioned as a walkable village designed to meet today’s housing needs while restoring and protecting the land for the future.

Located between Highway 82, Cattle Creek, the Roaring Fork River, and the Ironbridge area, Harvest sits on a property with a long and complex history, one that continues to shape the conversation about what comes next.

A Glimpse into the History

Harvest Roaring Fork was once known as Sanders Ranch, later renamed Bair Chase, and has passed through several ownership transitions over the years.

Originally, the land functioned as a working ranch owned by Clyde Chase and later Elmer Bair. In the 1990s and early 2000s, plans began to emerge for substantial housing and commercial development on the site.

In 2005, the property underwent mass grading in preparation for a proposed golf course community—an effort that significantly altered portions of the landscape. During that period, the site’s historic red barn, a longtime landmark, was demolished.

While many ideas have come and gone, the land remained a focal point for future potential—especially as the Roaring Fork Valley entered a new era defined by one pressing issue: housing affordability for local residents.

A New Chapter: Realty Capital’s Vision

In 2024, Realty Capital Management purchased the property and introduced a new direction: a community-centered village designed not just for growth, but for balance.

Realty Capital has stated a commitment to creating a development that prioritizes:

• People

• Wildlife

• Green spaces

• Environmental stewardship

• And most importantly, solutions to the valley’s housing crisis

Today, the Harvest team is working alongside county officials, nationally renowned planners, and conservation partners to craft a master plan intended to serve the Roaring Fork Valley’s long-term needs.

Addressing the Housing Crisis Where It’s Needed Most

One of the most significant elements of the proposed Harvest development is its emphasis on attainable and deed-restricted housing for full-time local workers.

The vision includes homes designed for the people who keep the valley running every day:

• Teachers

• Healthcare professionals

• First responders

• Service industry workers

• Essential local employees

A substantial portion of residences are expected to be deed-restricted, meaning they will remain available for full-time locals rather than becoming second homes or short-term investment properties.

In a region where housing costs have increasingly pushed workers farther downvalley, Harvest represents a proposed shift toward enabling residents to truly live where they work.

A Walkable Village Built for Connection

Rather than a traditional subdivision, Harvest is being planned as a collection of neighborhoods centered around community life.

The proposed plan includes:

• Townhomes, apartments, and single-family homes

• A walkable village center with cafes and neighborhood-serving shops

• Parks, trails, playgrounds, and open green spaces

• Dog parks, community gathering areas, and recreation corridors

• A community farm supporting local food production and connection to the land

With integrated sidewalks, bike paths, and parks throughout, the goal is a village that feels cohesive, accessible, and designed for everyday interaction, not just vehicle traffic.

Restoring Habitat and Prioritizing Stewardship

Because parts of the land were previously mass-graded, one of Harvest’s major initiatives involves active habitat restoration.

Realty Capital is working with organizations like Roaring Fork Conservancy and wildlife experts to reintroduce native vegetation—including grasses, shrubs, trees, and flowering species that support local birds and ecosystems.

Wildlife studies, including research conducted by Colorado Wildlife Sciences, are helping guide these restoration efforts.

The development team has emphasized a broader philosophy:
As stewards of the land, development must be balanced with preservation—making thoughtful choices about agriculture, conservation, and community needs.

Transportation, Schools, and Reduced Commuting

Traffic and congestion are always key concerns in any Highway 82 corridor development, and Harvest planners have pointed to potential regional benefits.

The nationally recognized traffic engineering firm Kimley-Horn expects that Harvest may help reduce rush-hour congestion through downtown Glenwood Springs by housing residents who currently commute from farther west.

By bringing essential workers closer to local job centers, daily traffic through Glenwood may decrease rather than increase.

Additional planning elements include:

• A proposed on-site daycare facility to reduce childcare-related driving

• School attendance zones, including Riverview K–8 and Bridges High School in Carbondale

Realty Capital’s Track Record in the Valley

Realty Capital is not new to the Roaring Fork region. The company has developed several notable local projects, including:

• The Fairway Residences (Carbondale)

• LOFTS (Glenwood Springs)

• Tree Farm Lofts (Basalt)

• Kodiak Club and Residences (Basalt)

Founded in 1987 by former Roaring Fork Valley resident Richard Myers, the firm brings decades of experience in residential and mixed-use communities across Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico.

Looking Ahead

Harvest Roaring Fork represents more than a development proposal—it reflects a broader crossroads for the Roaring Fork Valley.

As the region continues to grow, the question is no longer whether change will come, but what kind of change we choose:

• Can we create housing that serves locals first?

• Can development restore land rather than erase it?

• Can a village feel human-scaled, walkable, and rooted in community?

Harvest aims to answer those questions with a model centered on people, place, and long-term stewardship.

As plans evolve, community involvement and thoughtful collaboration will remain essential in shaping what Harvest ultimately becomes.
Interested in learning more about Harvest Roaring Fork? Reach out to Stephanie Kroll: [email protected] | 303.345.5886