Lake County, Colorado

Some of the most spectacular scenery in North America is in Lake County, Colorado, just south of Vail. Lake County is the highest county in the U.S., and is bounded on all sides by 14,000-foot peaks (fourteeners, in Colorado vernacular). In fact the two highest mountains in Colorado - Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive - form the western boundary of the county and are in full view from almost every spot in the county.

Since 2006, EverGreen Land Co. has been acquiring land in Lake County for the purpose of developing an outdoor-lifestyle oriented community. As of late 2008, EverGreen's holdings in Lake County consist of approximately 800 acres, with most of the land zoned for urban residential development. This zoning allows up to four homes per acre.

The long-term vision is to develop a village, called AltaColorado, that will contain all the amenities associated with modern lifestyle, and yet use architecture forms and designs that complement the historic culture of the nearby mining town of Leadville. To emphasize its mining heritage, the National Mining Museum is located in Leadville.

EverGreen is working closely with the local county government and local citizens' groups to ensure that local input guides the final design of the village. One stated local positive quality of the village is that it target the middle-income market. This means that "trophy homes" will not be allowed within the village. Another feature is a high level of open space available for all residents, including current locals. As a result, at least 25% of all land developed will be deed restricted as permanent open space.

AltaColorado is seeking a special designation as a state-authorized “metro district”. The metro district designation allows many of the powers normally associated with a town government, except fire/police protection and schools. The benefit to residents for the metro district is a tax-based mechanism for funding desired community elements, such as hiking/biking trails and other recreational amenities. Development of community infrastructure, such as roads and in-ground utilities, will also be enhanced by the formation of the metro district.

The first phase of AltaColorado is Gateway Village, which straddles state highway 91 on the way to Copper Mountain ski resort. This world-class ski resort is a short twenty-minute drive away via an all-weather highway. Gateway Village is proceeding through the county's subdivision approval process and is expected to be ready for initial home construction in the summer of 2009. In keeping with the local desire and the expected market for homes for local workers and baby-boomers, these homes are expected to be priced at approximately one-half the price of similar homes in neighboring Summit County. When complete, Gateway Village is expected to encompass as many as 280 homes, including single-family residences, townhomes and apartments.

As the years progress, AltaColorado is expected to be a model for environmentally-sensitive development. Respect for the natural environment is a cornerstone of all EverGreen Land Co. developments, especially AltaColorado. This means that homes will be built according to strict adherence to "green standards", forestry management practices will help protect the trees within the development area, and the lifestyle encouraged by the community will be heavily tilted toward enjoyment of the local natural environment.