Stagecoach was planned in the late 1970s as one of the largest resort communities in Colorado. Stretching for over six miles on Routt County Road 16 with over 2,000 single family home sites, townhomes and condominiums, and with amenities that included a ski area, golf course, lake and marina, preliminary sales went well.
A number of the townhomes and condominiums were built. A metropolitan district was formed and roads and utilities were constructed. Ski slopes were cut, a base lodge was started and a lift was installed. The reservior was completed and the resort was beginning to take shape.
However, being able to provide ample electricity to the massive development, as well as generating the money to complete the promised infrastructure and amenities created a shortfall to complete the vision.
During the late 1980's and until the mid 1990's, the area struggled. A number of land parcels could be purchased for tax deeds as owners became disenchanted. For years, the project sat dormant.
As the desire for Steamboat area property grew, interest in Stagecoach rekindled. As one of the most affordable communities near Steamboat Springs, the real estate market has now taken a new life, as land, home, condominium and townhome shoppers are drawn to the alpine setting with an easy 21 mile commute to Steamboat Springs. Over 300 land parcels have been sold over the past two years in Stagecoach, and a new home begins to be built almost daily. In addition to the subdivisions from the original developer, several new ones have emerged over the past few years, including The Neighborhood at Young's Peak, Red Hawk Village, Coyote Run and Middle Creek.
Home prices on a typical quarter-acre lot begin in the upper $300,000 range and can go well over one million for a home on acreage. Condominiums and town homes are in the $200,000 to $350,000 range.
Still today lots in the back reaches of the original project remain without electricity, water and sewer services, let alone a road to access the property. These lots can be purchased for as little as $30,000, but it is hard to tell when and especially if they will ever be served by utilities.
Entitlements to the ski area (which is on private land as opposed to public, is unique in the ski industry), the golf course and the marina remain intact. Stagecoach Reservior is a popular recreation destination for boating, sailing, camping, cross country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, water skiing and fishing, with the spillway below the dam being recognized as one of the best fly fishing locations in the area.
