CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. — During the busy spring break rush at Loveland Ski Area, it’s crucial to have plenty of employees working.
One way the ski area stays staffed up is by focusing on affordable housing to offset the high cost of living in the mountains, said human resources director Karen Cameron.
“We really try to hire in the community when we can, but it did become more difficult, and the housing just helps us fill that gap,” Cameron said.
Loveland didn’t have an option to build new housing, so they got creative, working with the Clear Creek community to convert hotels in Idaho Springs into employee housing.
“We ended up partnering with some Realtors on master leasing some hotels in Idaho Springs that they refitted to work with employee housing,” Cameron said.
Loveland Ski Area started with Lift Landing a few seasons ago, but this season opened another: the Up Lift Inn Hotel. Both have been turned into dorm-style housing that ski area employees use in the winter. After Loveland closes for the season, the buildings are turned back into hotels.
“We benefit in the winter season, and they can use the properties for whatever want to in the summer season,” Cameron said.
The creative plan has given the Loveland 60 beds for about 10% of its workforce when the ski area is staffed at its peak. They plan on looking at other more long-term options for more affordable housing in the future.
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