Aspen and Resort Counties Lose Population

Standing in the midst of Aspen's bustling downtown, surrounded by luxury shops and restaurants, it's hard to imagine that this resort town is actually losing population. Yet, according to recent census data, that's exactly what's happening. A $24,000 increase in state population sounds like a lot, but when you consider that's only a 0.4% bump, growth is slowing down. For context, that's less than half the growth rate Colorado saw before 2020.

Let's do the math: if the state gained 24,000 people, but 20,608 of those came from births minus deaths, that means only 3,256 people moved here from other places. And when you factor in that 12,100 people actually left the state, domestic migration is a significant problem. On paper, the arrival of 15,356 international migrants looks like a boon, but in practice, it's not enough to offset the loss of residents who are leaving for other states.

Routt County, home to Steamboat Springs, is one of the Western Slope counties that saw a net population loss. This is a trend that's playing out in other resort counties, where housing and cost-of-living pressures are making it difficult for people to stay. The situation is troubling, and the community is affected. When locals can't afford to live in the place they call home, that's a problem that needs to be addressed.

The Common Sense Institute of Colorado points out that Colorado has begun to lose its appeal as a destination for movers. Ten years ago, the state was third in the nation for domestic migration; now it ranks 48th. That's a significant drop, and the implications are far-reaching. In Grand County, for example, the population growth rate has slowed significantly, and it's not hard to see why. With the median home price pushing $700,000, it's getting harder and harder for people to afford to live there.

The Colorado State Demography Office cites slower job growth, higher interest rates, and changes in immigration policy as factors contributing to negative net migration. But for folks around here, it's not just about those big-picture issues - it's about what's happening on the ground. When you see businesses struggling to find employees, or friends and neighbors leaving because they can't afford to stay, the consequences become apparent.

In Pitkin County, where Aspen is located, the median home price is over $1 million. That's what it costs to buy a home in a place where the average salary is around $60,000. Let's do the math on that: if you're making $60,000 a year, and you want to buy a home that costs $1 million, you're looking at a mortgage payment of around $5,000 a month. That's not even counting property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The numbers just don't add up for many people.

The population loss in these resort counties is a wake-up call. It's a reminder that the issues of housing affordability and cost of living aren't just someone else's problem - they're our problem, too. And when you consider that the state is gaining population overall, but losing residents in these specific counties, the disparity is striking. For the community, for the local economy, and for the people who call these places home, it's time to start thinking about solutions. The practical bottom line is that these population losses will cost local businesses, schools, and governments in the long run - and that's a cost that will be borne by the people who stay.