Changes for Craig , Colorado
The City of Craig , a community of about 9,008 people and 5,216 workers in northwest Colorado , is one of the many communities working to overcome these challenges . According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies ’ report , 31.3 % of the City ’ s households are “ cost-burdened ,” which means more than 30 % of their income is used for housing expenses , and 14.8 % are “ severely cost-burdened ,” with more than half of their income allocated to housing . In Colorado , 14,439 people experienced homelessness in 2023 , and nearly 5,000 of those people were also without shelter .
Housing is among a few major changes in the community . With the national
transition to cleaner energy and renewables , Tri-State Generation and Transmission ’ s Craig Station Power Plant , a large coal-fired power plant that has driven the area ’ s economy , is slated to shut down , as is Trapper Mine , a surface coal mine . These closures are expected to affect about 400 to 600 direct and indirect jobs .
In the last few years , the City has seen housing prices and rental costs skyrocket for various reasons , according to Shannon Scott , the City ’ s economic development manager . For one , the City is a 45-minute drive from Steamboat Springs , where many people work but can ’ t afford to live , so they might commute from Craig . Other Craig homes have been purchased by people who left big cities during the COVID-19 pandemic , seeking more remote areas , or retirees . Compounding that demand is the City ’ s determination to recruit new companies to come to Craig to replace job losses . Mike Scholl , planning and economic development professional for Ayres , added that another major employer , Moffat County ’ s Memorial Regional Hospital , relies on traveling nurses and medical professionals , who also need housing .
“ It was kind of a perfect storm of a lot of things at once that really tied up the market ,” Scott said .
Addressing the need
In spring 2021 , the City launched a housing needs assessment to www . AyresAssociates . com 3