Local Mountain Living
A Housing Community By and For Locals
Black Mountain is a pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented neighborhood for locals - essential workers, brick-and-mortar employees, and others who serve our community.
The proposed community will address the housing crisis and mirror Basalt's small-town character and vision as detailed in the 2020 Basalt Master Plan. It will provide diverse housing options and a unique hospitality element.
Black Mountain is proposing 50% of all residential units as deed-restricted affordable housing and all free market housing will initially only be offered to people who live and work in the Roaring Fork Valley.
As of February 16, 2024, the project team has decreased overall density of the site by removing the glamping tent pads and 8 residential units which has reduced overall projected vehicle trips/traffic as well. In addition, the project team has updated the unit sizes and types, and increased protection for the natural environment per council feedback. These changes are reflected in the content below.
Location
The Jadwin Parcel, one of the last developable lots in the Basalt 2020 Master Plan, is an approximately 9-acre site located between the Roaring Fork River and Emma Road, down-valley from the Basalt Post Office and Library. The property was identified as a “primary parcel” for appropriate land use and development in the current 2020 Basalt Master Plan - see pages 74 & 76-86.
Pedestrian-Friendly and Transit-Oriented
The parcel is a short, 5-minute walk to downtown Basalt and only 0.3 miles from the RFTA bus stop. The parcel will connect to the current Emma Trail, allowing future residents to bike throughout the mid-valley.
Black Mountain is within the Town of Basalt’s Urban Growth Boundary and is strategically located adjacent to all utilities.
Black Mountain Heritage
Did you know the basaltic rock formation just north of Basalt was originally called Black Mountain? As the town evolved, so did the name of its beautiful backdrop. Today it is known as Basalt Mountain. The team chose Black Mountain to honor the history and legacy of this beloved mid-valley town.
Housing
Multifamily housing is the driving force of Black Mountain, with a mix of affordable deed-restricted units and free-market units. The Black Mountain team is looking at ways to prioritize all housing types, including free-market, for locals.
64 residential units
50% deed-restricted affordable multifamily units with a mix of sizes and types (32 units)
50% free-market multifamily units including townhomes and apartments (32 units)
Designed to comply with the Basalt Sustainable Building Regulations and the 2020 Basalt Master Plan’s Green Initiatives
The community is a 100% electric, green project complete with rooftop solar
First Tracks Program
For 90 days, all free market units are exclusively for sale or rent to people who work in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Town of Basalt will administer the pre-approval process. Additional program details are to be determined.
Open Space & Direct Access to the Roaring Fork River
Black Mountain is a riverside property providing a gorgeous natural setting for residents, visitors, and the Basalt community to enjoy the greenery, open space, trails, access to the Roaring Fork River, and more.
6.4 acres of protected wetlands (69% of property)
4.2 acres of dedicated open space (46% of property)
River access, ponds, trails, and bike paths (all accessible to the public)
River Cabins
Unique river cabins will provide a year-round destination for tourists to enjoy all the recreation the valley offers - from skiing to fishing to hiking and more. They will also supplement the demand for accommodations mid-valley while bringing vitality to downtown Basalt businesses.
12 purpose-built, keyless-entry river cabins as recommended by the 2020 Basalt Master Plan - see page 83.
24/7 on-site manager/experience coordinator to assist guests with their recreational and travel needs while being responsible for the open space, river access and guest areas.
Floodplain, Wetlands & Wildlife Habitats
Protecting the environment, while adhering to local building codes, is a top priority for the Black Mountain team. To verify the wetlands are not impacted by the proposed development, Black Mountain hired a wetlands consultant to map the wetlands in the summer of 2023. The mapping confirmed the development was outside the wetland area. In addition, current mapping and studies indicate the floodplain has not expanded. The project plans are being designed specifically to be outside of the defined floodplain area. The Colorado Water Conservation Board was slated to release a new report in 2022, but that has yet to be published. The development team will stay current on all available data and evolve the project plans as needed.
In addition, the team will:
Traffic and Intersection Improvements
The team is proposing solutions to address the perceived traffic and intersection issues. Sopris Engineering has developed proposed improvements to the Midland Avenue/Emma Road and Highway 82 Slip Lane/Emma Road intersections that would provide operational benefits to the safety and flow of traffic. A study, conducted in September 2023, shows that with these proposed intersection improvements, vehicle movements will operate acceptably during peak travel times.
A new traffic analysis, based on the removal of glamping and a reduction in residential units (as of February 2024), shows a 29% reduction in projected daily vehicle trips, while trips during the AM and PM peak hours will be reduced by 47%. Currently, Black Mountain will contribute one additional vehicle every 12 minutes during AM peak hours and one additional vehicle every 20 minutes during PM peak hours. The team continues to work with town staff, Roaring Fork Fire, and CDOT to finalize the intersection design and parking requirements based on final number of units.
Supporting Documents
Basalt 2020 Master Plan
Black Mountain will follow these guidelines. The Jadwin property is a key parcel for development as detailed on page 80.
Two Rivers Greenway Master Plan
Black Mountain will add greenways that follow the Master Plan.
Town of Basalt Vision Statement
“Basalt is a socially and economically diverse community that respects its cultural heritage, protects its natural environment, promotes creativity and healthy lifestyle, and works together to secure a sustainable future for all.”
Black Mountain shares these values and seeks the opportunity for inhabitants to forge positive community connections.
About Us
Like many Roaring Fork Valley business owners, Aspen natives Bridger and Colter Smith and long-time business associate Ryan Chadwick have grappled with the challenge of housing their employees. After exhausting their search, the two men set out to solve the problem themselves. They started looking for parcels of land to rent or buy. They created prototypes of state-of-the-art tiny homes. They hit dead-end after dead-end until they finally found the Jadwin Parcel in Basalt. What started as an idea for tiny homes has now morphed into Black Mountain Basalt, a proposed housing community that would give local workers an affordable place to call home.
Our Team
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Born and raised in Aspen, Bridger has been building and designing custom residential, mixed-use, and commercial projects throughout Aspen, the Roaring Fork Valley and the Denver foothills - acting as the general contractor, designer, and owner/developer. Bridger co-founded Bear Den Aspen, a local bistro in 2020, which has given him firsthand insight into the housing issues in the Roaring Fork Valley. Bridger brings his vision to Black Mountain Basalt as lead concept designer and managing partner.
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As an Aspen native and one of the founders of Christie’s International Real Estate Aspen Snowmass, Colter brings a wealth of experience to the development team. Armed with a degree in finance from the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business, Colter has devoted nearly 20 years to real estate development, construction, and design, with a portfolio that includes several multi-family projects in the Roaring Fork Valley that he still owns today. Prior to his brokerage career, Colter served as the Operations Manager for one of the largest civil construction companies in the area.
Both Bridger and Colter embarked on their professional journeys under the guidance of their late father, Christopher Smith, who was the owner of Aspen Earthmoving and the developer of The Wilds, a 41-unit townhome development located in Basalt. Following their father's passing in 2007, Colter and Bridger successfully completed the second phase of The Wilds project, honoring their father's legacy.
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As a prolific entrepreneur, Ryan has experience in the housing market, developed new sustainable seafood markets, and has created some of the most iconic restaurants and bars from Aspen to New York City including Grey Lady, Canary Club, Escobar, Taikun Sushi, Aspen Pie Shop and pop-up sensation Nakazawa. Some of Ryan’s recent real estate projects include developing a short-term housing and a glamping tent project as well as the repositioning of a 200-year-old barn in Hunter N.Y. into housing.
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Michael has over 27 years of hands-on experience in the real estate business including practicing as a real estate attorney, commercial real estate broker and owner/manager/developer. He operates a full-service real estate company that owns a portfolio of properties in New York and Colorado, specializing in multi-family (including affordable housing), commercial and mixed-use properties. Recently, Michael and business partner Ryan Chadwick completed construction on the brand-new, 50-unit, Snowmass Self-Storage facility located on Highway 82. Michael earned his law degree at George Washington University Law School and his undergraduate degree at Binghamton University.
