Courtesy photo.
Yampa Valley Housing Authority and the City of Steamboat Springs are starting a new group called the Community Deliberation & Stewardship Team (DST). Community members are being asked to serve on the new, temporary group which will have discussions and healthy debates, with resources and expert facilitation. Discussions will be about the Brown Ranch property and perspectives on how much and where the City of Steamboat Springs should grow. The group will meet once a month. The deadline to apply is March 17, for those who might be interested.
Apply online for the Community Deliberation & Stewardship Team
Press Release from City of Steamboat Springs; March 3, 225.
Community Deliberation & Stewardship Team Seeks Members
Group Creates Shared Understanding & Elevates Ideas For Future Exploration
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO–March 3, 2025-The city and its partner the Yampa Valley Housing Authority are soliciting community members interested in serving on a new, temporary group referred to as the Community Deliberation & Stewardship Team (DST).
“We are seeking community members who have a wide range of points-of-view on the opportunity at the Brown Ranch property, and related perspectives on how much and where the city should grow,” said Principal Planner Brad Calvert. “We are also looking for ideas and problem solving as how to provide more affordable living options in a community facing an affordable housing crisis.”
The DST will engage in rich and challenging discussions and healthy debate, supported by strong informational resources and expert facilitation, that creates shared understanding and elevates good ideas for future exploration. This group will bring together 25-35 community members with different perspectives and interests, to learn about and discuss needs, challenges, and solutions, in a collaborative environment.
“While all members will not agree on all issues, the intent is to build shared understanding of different perspectives, and an opportunity to work together to explore areas of agreement and shared direction for Brown Ranch,” continue Calvert. “This will be a lot of work, but it will be gratifying civic work that makes difference in the community you live.”
The project team anticipates DST meetings will be 3 to 4 hours held once per month. Each meeting will also require preparation by DST members, so they arrive ready to learn, deliberate, and collaborate on decisions across a variety of important topics. Additional time may be required outside of meetings to attend larger community events and to share information about the project with individual networks.
Since August 2024, a team led by Community Builders, a non-profit based in Glenwood Springs, has been spearheading an effort to engage the community in a public deliberation process to identify and reconcile critical concerns, bridge divisions, rebuild community trust, and meaningfully engage community members in learning and problem solving.
Individuals should apply online via the Community Deliberation & Stewardship Team Statement of Interest Form by March 17, 2025. In addition, you can recommend community members that would provide valuable insight and perspectives to the DST and city staff will follow up with nominated individuals to gauge interest.