As part of a forest-wide effort to decrease deferred maintenance costs of Forest Service administrative facilities, the Dillon Ranger District's Work and Residence Compound may be unloaded via public, open market sale or direct sale to a government entity.

The parcel is roughly 11 acres and currently sits on Dillon Ranger District property adjacent to Town of Dillon limits. It's situated on the east side of U.S. Highway 6, atop the hill above the Dillon Valley area.

Forest Service personnel were unavailable for comment Wednesday to further explain the plan behind the land sale.

However, Summit County community development director Jim Curnutte said his staff and supervisors have been eyeing the Dillon Compound as a potential site for affordable housing.

“We may be one of the bidders if they're going to put it on the market for sale,” Curnutte said.

Before the conveyance project initiates, the Forest Service is seeking feedback on the proposal. Comments should be submitted by Feb. 21 to Kevin Warner in the White River National Forest's Glenwood Springs supervisor's office.

Proceeds coming from the parcel will be reinvested into forest facility reconstruction projects that emphasize increasing energy efficiency, operational efficiency, and helping the White River National Forest better serve the public.

“To make a fully informed decision, the Forest Service would like to know if you have any thoughts, issues or concerns related to other effects caused by this proposal and how they may be addressed,” said Peech Keller, the Dillon Ranger District acting district ranger. “Your feedback on the proposed action is an integral part of our environmental analysis process.”

Another opportunity

Among potential investments could be turning the Forest Service's Lake Hill property (located between Interstate 70 and the Dillon Reservoir along the Dillon Dam Road) into a Forest Service administrative site.

Curnutte said the county is also interested in that prospect, because if the Forest Service changes the site's designation, and therefore its permitted use, it could also become ripe for affordable housing. Forest Service officials would be able to develop the land according to the agency's needs, and sell off excess portions. According to Curnutte, if the county were to make the purchase for affordable housing, both entities could find ways to make the construction process more efficient.

The Lake Hill property “has been identified for a number of years in the Tenmile Basin Master Plan as a site for affordable housing,” Curnutte said, adding that other ways the county could acquire it would be through a piggy-back land exchange with Boulder County or through a separate land exchange directly between the county government and the Forest Service. Curnutte said Forest Service officials might be interested in gaining mining claims scattered through the forest that breaks up their management patterns.

The two properties are among several the county (another is in Keystone Gulch) has been eyeing for potential affordable housing development, but the process is ongoing as negotiations proceed, land isn't yet for sale, or an affordable price has yet to be determined.

“There are lots of options out there,” Curnutte said. “We've identified 30-some sites in our master plan.”

The Dillon Compound conveyance would be processed under the authority of the Forest Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act. This authority allows for the sale, exchange, or lease of USFS facilities with the proceeds to be used for the acquisition, improvement, or reconstruction of US FS facilities.