HomeMy WebLinkAboutRoaring Fork Sanitation District
September 10, 2025
Dear Mr. Leybourne,
Thank you for referring the Harvest Roaring Fork PUD application to Roaring Fork School District RE-1 for
comment. We do not typically comment on proposed developments, but due to the scale and location of this
proposal, we respectfully submit the following comments for consideration. Our comments are limited to the
potential impacts of this development on our schools and staff; we defer to others who have expertise in other
areas.
1. Impact on student enrollment in Roaring Fork Schools: Roaring Fork School District is currently
experiencing declining enrollment, based on declining birth rates and the increasing cost of living in our
boundaries. Declining enrollment leads to declining funding since our funding is based on a per-pupil
formula. For example, Riverview K-8 School, which is the closest school to the proposed development,
has a capacity of 422 students, but is forecasted to decline from 316 students in 2025-26 to 278 in
2029-30. This loss of 38 students equates to approximately $500,000 lower revenue annually. If
approved, Harvest Roaring Fork has the potential to help stabilize or increase student enrollment at
Riverview and other area schools, which could help RFSD avoid declining funding due to declining
enrollment. With the capital improvements possible through school land dedication fees, our schools
have the capacity to accommodate the students that are likely to live in Harvest Roaring Fork.
2. Workforce Housing: Housing is the single biggest barrier to recruiting and retaining the high quality
staff that our students deserve. Harvest Roaring Fork’s addition of 150 price-capped units, plus 300
resident-owner occupied (RO) units and additional free-market rental and for-sale units, has the
potential to help RFSD stabilize our workforce by addressing the critical shortage of staff housing near
our schools. The location of this development between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale is central to
our district and would likely be an attractive location for staff to live. If additional price-capped,
deed-restricted units can be incorporated into the project, that would provide additional opportunities for
our teachers and staff to afford to live closer to our schools. Each affordable unit in this area has the
potential to reduce the traffic impacts of our staff who currently commute to our schools in Glenwood
Springs, Carbondale and Basalt from western Garfield County.
Thank you for considering our comments as you review this development application.
Sincerely,
Ben Bohmfalk
Chief Operating Officer
Roaring Fork School District RE-1