Wildfire season in Colorado mountain towns is no longer a distant possibility, it is something communities must actively prepare for. In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with Chaffee County Public Health Director Andrea Carlstrom to discuss wildfire preparedness, evacuation planning, emergency communication systems, air quality concerns, and what residents can do right now to protect their homes, families, pets, and communities.

Andrea shares lessons learned from the Decker Fire, explains how emergency response systems work behind the scenes, and offers practical advice for creating evacuation plans, building a go kit, protecting older adults and vulnerable neighbors, and navigating disaster recovery after the immediate emergency is over.

This conversation is essential listening for anyone living in Colorado mountain communities, rural areas, or wildfire-prone regions.

In This Episode:

• Why wildfire preparedness matters now more than ever
• What Chaffee County is doing behind the scenes to prepare
• How the emergency response network actually works
• What to include in a wildfire go kit
• Why evacuation plans need backup plans
• The importance of Everbridge emergency alerts
• How wildfire smoke impacts mountain communities
• Mistakes people make during evacuations
• How neighbors can support vulnerable residents
• What disaster recovery looks like after reentry
• Why community resilience matters in mountain towns

Key Takeaway:

“The time to plan and prepare is not during a disaster.” — Andrea Carlstrom

Andrea Carlstrom has served as the Director of Chaffee County Public Health for more than a decade, overseeing programs focused on public health, emergency preparedness, behavioral health, chronic disease prevention, aging well initiatives, and community resilience. Throughout her career, she has worked across multiple healthcare settings including behavioral health, pharmacy, and hospital administration. Andrea has played a key leadership role in emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts throughout Chaffee County, including wildfire response, public health coordination, and community resilience planning.

Website: http://www.chaffeecounty.org

Link to Everbridge Emergency App: https://chaffeecounty.org/departments/sheriff/communications/e

Real Estate in the Rockies is the podcast exploring Colorado mountain real estate, housing, land use, development, zoning, community growth, and mountain living in Salida, Buena Vista, Chaffee County, and communities across the Rockies.

Hosted by Colorado real estate attorney Ashley Kappel and local realtor Jessica Chariton, the show brings together developers, community leaders, housing experts, investors, and local voices to break down the conversations shaping mountain towns today.

Whether you’re buying property in Colorado, navigating real estate development, exploring affordable housing challenges, or simply interested in the future of mountain communities, Real Estate in the Rockies delivers real conversations and local insight from the people living and working in these communities every day.

Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for new episodes every week.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/

Please share this podcast with anyone who is interested in Real Estate development, Community Conversations about living in Colorado Mountain Towns.

What does it really take to develop property in a Colorado mountain town, and why do some projects succeed while others never get off the ground?

In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with longtime Salida resident, realtor, and developer Walt Harder to unpack the realities of real estate development in mountain communities.

With over 20 years of experience in both real estate and development, Walt shares what most people do not see behind the scenes, from navigating land use and zoning to identifying opportunities and managing risk.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level real estate talk and dives into how development actually works in places like Salida and across Colorado.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What real estate development looks like in mountain towns like Salida
• Why development projects are more complex than most people realize
• How zoning, land use, and local regulations impact what can be built
• What makes a property a strong development opportunity
• Why off-market properties can be some of the best opportunities
• The biggest risks and challenges developers face in Colorado

Ashley helps break down the legal and land use considerations involved in development. Jessica brings insight into how development connects to the local real estate market and community demand.

Walt brings decades of hands-on experience, offering a real-world perspective on what it takes to successfully navigate development in mountain communities.

Walt Harder is the owner and managing broker of Harder Real Estate and Development, LLC, and has been a Salida resident for over 20 years. Since moving to Salida in 2000, Walt has built a career that spans residential, commercial, industrial, and retail development across Colorado and beyond. With a deep understanding of both real estate and land development, he brings a unique perspective to identifying opportunities and navigating complex projects. Walt is also the owner of Timber Creek Ranch, reflecting his passion for land, space, and the Colorado lifestyle.

Links:
Website: http://hred.co
Facebook: Walt Harder, Harder Real Estate and Development

Subscribe for more conversations about real estate, law, and community in the Colorado Rockies.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/

What happens when a community does not have enough senior housing, assisted living, or memory care options?

In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with local leaders Marilyn Bouldin and Andi Bruno to discuss the growing need for senior housing in Salida and across Colorado mountain towns.

As populations age and housing options remain limited, communities are facing difficult questions about how to support residents who want to stay but may not have the care options they need.

This conversation explores how real estate, healthcare, and community planning intersect, and why this issue impacts more than just seniors.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why senior housing and assisted living are critical in mountain communities
• The challenges of creating memory care and aging support locally
• What happens when residents are forced to leave their community for care
• How nonprofit efforts like Places to Age are working toward solutions
• Why this issue affects families, housing, and the broader community

Ashley helps connect the legal and planning considerations around housing and care facilities. Jessica brings insight into how housing limitations impact availability and demand in the local market.

Marilyn and Andi provide firsthand perspective on the needs within the community and the efforts underway to address them.

Marilyn Bouldin
Marilyn Bouldin is a retired registered nurse and former Director of Chaffee County Public Health. She has served on the board of Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center and is a cofounder of Chaffee County Women Who Care. Marilyn currently serves as Vice Chair of the board for Places to Age, a nonprofit focused on bringing assisted living and memory care to the community.

Links:
Website: http://www.placestoage.org
Facebook: Places to Age

Andi Bruno
Andi Bruno is a Colorado native and retired business owner with a background in Silicon Valley startups. She founded her own business in 2003 and successfully exited in 2014. Since returning to Colorado, she has been actively involved in community efforts and previously served as Chair of Places to Age, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding senior housing and care options in Chaffee County.

Links:
Website: http://www.placestoage.org

Subscribe for more conversations about real estate, law, and community in the Colorado Rockies.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/

Can affordable housing actually work in a Colorado mountain town, or is it financially impossible without major tradeoffs?

In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with Paul Andrews, developer of The Crossing in Buena Vista, a community designed to be 50% affordable housing.

Paul brings decades of high-level real estate and financial experience to this conversation and shares what it really took to bring this project to life. From infrastructure costs and financing to deed restrictions and community pushback, this episode breaks down the real challenges behind building housing that people can actually afford.

This is not theory. It is a real-world look at what it takes to solve one of the biggest issues facing mountain communities.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What a 50% affordable housing model looks like in Buena Vista
• Why infrastructure and financing are the biggest barriers to affordability
• How grants, partnerships, and timing made this project possible
• What deed restrictions are and how they preserve long-term affordability
• Why smaller homes and creative design are key to lowering costs
• The risks involved, including putting personal finances on the line
• Whether this model can realistically be replicated in other mountain towns

Ashley brings a legal lens to zoning, deed restrictions, and policy considerations. Jessica connects the conversation to real market conditions and what buyers are experiencing on the ground.

Paul shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a community from the ground up, including the vision, the risk, and why this work matters for the future of Buena Vista and beyond.

Paul Andrews is the developer behind The Crossing in Buena Vista, a community designed to provide a mix of affordable and market-rate housing in a mountain town setting. Originally from England, Paul has an extensive background in finance and real estate, including leadership roles as CFO at Madison Marquette, Vail Resorts Development Company, and EverWest Real Estate Investors.

Over his career, he has completed more than $2 billion in real estate financings and helped grow EverWest into a $5 billion institutional real estate platform. After retiring in 2022, Paul shifted his full focus to The Crossing and other Colorado mountain real estate projects, bringing his experience, capital, and long-term vision to addressing housing challenges in communities like Buena Vista.

Links:
Website: http://www.thecrossingbv.com
Instagram: @thecrossingbv
Facebook: The Crossing BV
LinkedIn: The Crossing BV

Subscribe for more conversations about real estate, law, and community in the Colorado Rockies.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/

What is really happening in Colorado mountain town real estate, and why does it matter even if you are not buying or selling?

Welcome to Real Estate in the Rockies, a podcast focused on Colorado mountain communities like Salida, where real estate is not just about transactions, it is about how towns grow, who can afford to live there, and what the future looks like.

In this first episode, Ashley Kappel, an attorney, and Jessica Chariton, a local real estate expert, introduce the show and explain why real estate is one of the biggest forces shaping life in mountain towns. From housing affordability and development to land use, zoning, and legal considerations, these are the issues impacting residents every day.

This podcast is designed to help locals, homeowners, and anyone connected to mountain communities better understand what is happening and why it matters.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why Colorado mountain real estate impacts everyone, not just buyers and sellers
• How housing affordability and development affect communities like Salida
• What makes mountain town real estate unique compared to other markets
• Why zoning, land use, and legal issues play a critical role
• What to expect from future episodes of Real Estate in the Rockies

Ashley brings a legal perspective to break down complex real estate and land use topics in a clear and practical way. Jessica brings local market expertise and real-world insight from working directly in Colorado real estate.

Together, they guide you through the issues shaping mountain communities and what you should be paying attention to moving forward.

Subscribe for more conversations about real estate, law, and community in the Colorado Rockies.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/

What does it really take to buy, build, or own property in a Colorado mountain town?

Welcome to Real Estate in the Rockies, a Colorado real estate podcast that explores the unique challenges and opportunities shaping mountain communities today. From water rights and wildfire risk to zoning regulations, housing shortages, and land use decisions, real estate in the Rockies is anything but simple.

Hosted by real estate attorney Ashley Kappel and local realtor Jessica Charitan, this podcast brings together legal insight and real-world experience to help listeners better understand the forces shaping the Colorado real estate market.

Each episode breaks down key topics including:

• Zoning laws and land use regulations
• Water rights and environmental considerations
• Insurance challenges in high-risk areas
• Market trends and housing availability
• Buying, selling, and investing in mountain communities

You’ll also hear from industry professionals such as developers, builders, lenders, planners, and local leaders who are influencing the future of these regions.

This podcast is designed for anyone interested in real estate, housing, and the long-term sustainability of mountain towns.

Follow Real Estate in the Rockies to stay informed on the evolving Colorado real estate landscape.

Real Estate in the Rockies is the podcast exploring Colorado mountain real estate, housing, land use, development, zoning, community growth, and mountain living in Salida, Buena Vista, Chaffee County, and communities across the Rockies.

Hosted by Colorado real estate attorney Ashley Kappel and local realtor Jessica Chariton, the show brings together developers, community leaders, housing experts, investors, and local voices to break down the conversations shaping mountain towns today.

Whether you’re buying property in Colorado, navigating real estate development, exploring affordable housing challenges, or simply interested in the future of mountain communities, Real Estate in the Rockies delivers real conversations and local insight from the people living and working in these communities every day.

Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for new episodes every week.

Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/

Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/

Please share this podcast with anyone who is interested in Real Estate development, Community Conversations about living in Colorado Mountain Towns.