Like many mountain communities, Silverton is experiencing a housing shortage. Currently more than 65% of Silverton homes sit vacant at least part of the year, as second homes or vacation rentals. Creating more workforce housing like the Anvil Mountain development, incentivizing infill with Accessory Dwelling Units, and revisiting zoning and building codes are just a few of the ways SJDA & local government is addressing this issue.
A Housing Needs Assessment was performed for Silverton & San Juan County by Root Policy in the summer of 2021 through partnership between SJDA, the Southwest Colorado Council of Government, and Housing Solutions for the Southwest. The report analyzes existing housing data, housing plans, and identifies housing needs. The full report is accessible below:
San Juan County & Silverton Housing Needs Assessment - August 2021
In Fall 2021, SJDA applied for and was awarded a technical assistance grant for the Town of Silverton to progress affordable housing development. The grant was provided by the Colorado Housing & Financial Authority (CHFA) in their new Technical Assistance Program to help catalyze small-scale affordable housing developments by providing access to an affordable housing consultant and pre-development grant assistance. Potential small-scale projects, of 30 units or less, could apply for affordable housing planning and development technical assistance services and pre-development grants to further their work. More information about the grant, scope, and final output can be found on the report below:
CHFA Silverton Final Report
In May 2023, Silverton joined the Colorado Main Street Program. The program follows a three-year plan with four key priorities:
Silverton has lit fiber meaning that we have a very stable and direct, active fiber connection. There is currently a single fiber pathway from Durango to Silverton, and SJDA and Silverton is working closely with San Miguel Power Association to create fiber redundancy to provide more stability and increase Silverton’s attractiveness to location neutral workers.
San Juan County, the Town of Silverton, and San Juan Development Association, with support from the Colorado Brownfields Partnerships, have partnered with Community Builders to facilitate a transparent, community-driven process that will result in a vision for the future of Silverton and San Juan County.
In Fall 2022, the community visioning project resulted in creation of the Silverton Master Plan, a strategic roadmap that outlines the hopes, dreams, and goals the community wishes to accomplish. The Master Plan also identifies specific priorities and projects aligned the community’s vision. More information can be found in the document.
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In May 2023, the Town of Silverton was accepted into the Department of Local Affairs’ Colorado Main Street Program and SJDA is hosting the program. The Silverton Main Street Program is directed by a three-year roadmap which outlines four strategic priorities aligned to its mission and vision: to create a cohesive and collaborative business community that supports the vibrancy of the historic core along Greene and Blaire Streets; to provide technical assistance and resources for businesses to support historic preservation and beautification of properties; to advocate for and support the implementation of streetscape, wayfinding and beautifications efforts in the historic core; and to develop a year-round sustainable and thriving downtown economy. Within each strategic priority, key activities were identified that support the priority and outlines a pathway for success. More information on the strategic roadmap can be found below.
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2023 Economic Survey