The Steamboat Springs Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to authorize the sale of its valuable Whistler Park property, positioning the city of Steamboat Springs as the likely buyer.

The school district cited a recent $3.6 million appraisal and months of community feedback as driving factors behind the decision, with officials stating that the sale could help advance local housing projects while preserving Whistler Park as public green space for residents and visitors.

The 9.2-acre Whistler parcel has been a recurring discussion for the district, with previous efforts to develop the land into either housing or school infrastructure meeting stiff community resistance. 

Board deliberations point toward city sale

Superintendent Celine Wicks opened the discussion by announcing the new appraisal, revealing the property’s value had increased by $200,000 since the last evaluation a year-and-a-half ago to $3.6 million. 

Wicks acknowledged dozens of conversations and community workshops that had shaped the path forward, ultimately recommending the district sell the Whistler property to the city of Steamboat Springs.

“I have been in conversations with Angela Cosby from the city, and my recommendation is to sell it to the city, because this will also help us with our housing project,” Wicks said, emphasizing that the city hopes to maintain the parcel, which is zoned as a low-density residential area, as parkland.

Board Treasurer Kevin Callahan voiced his support for prioritizing a sale to the city, reflecting the community’s overwhelming desire to see Whistler Park preserved as open space, with Board Member Leah Helme, Board Vice President Chresta Brinkman and Board Secretary Lara Craig echoing his sentiments. 

“I think it’s important that we try to adhere to keeping it a park and have the city have the opportunity to have it first,” Callahan said. “As long as we can capture the market value that is assessed…I think it’s really important that we listen to our constituents as well, try to do the best for the district and thread that needle in between by doing that process.” 

“I feel like being able to have this valuation gives us good information, and if there is a possibility where we can pursue something with the city, I think that’s in the best interests of everybody,” said Brinkman. 

City’s perspective and possible timeline

Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Director Angela Cosby addressed the board regarding the city’s process and intentions. She described a potential two-year purchase agreement, like the one used for the Slate Creek parcel, that would give the city time to secure grants and fundraise. 

“Ideally, a July 2027 closing would work very well for us,” Cosby said, noting that the 2026 city budget already includes $500,000 earmarked for the Whistler purchase — funds that would allow the city to make a strong initial down payment and leverage matching grant opportunities.

Cosby clarified that while she could not speak for city council, the Parks and Rec Department is eager to pursue a purchase agreement if the district authorizes the sale.

“If you approve the resolution tonight, it would probably take the city about two months to execute agreements and get approval from our city council to move forward,” she said.

For board members, the key concern remained striking a balance between realizing the property’s value for the district and reflecting the community’s hopes for Whistler Park.

Craig and others made it clear that any sale must meet the new appraised value, regardless of whether the city is the buyer.

“I just want to reiterate the idea that this is an asset that we, I think, should be very responsible about,” said Craig. “Any entity that would own an asset like this would expect to have it leased market-value.”

“I would say that if we are in favor of selling to the city, that we expect at least what the assessed value is and no less, considering that this property could be pretty valuable for somebody who would, say, want to build on it,” she added.

Brinkman then confirmed with Cosby that the city cannot purchase above the valuation price, a point Cosby affirmed.

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Glenn Davis and local resident Patrick Browning spoke during the public comment period, both thanking the school board and the city for their collaborative efforts and echoing the importance of keeping the park as open space. 

“Yesterday I had a chance to walk through the park, and I saw kids playing baseball and soccer, and other kids running through the fields flying kites,” said Davis. “Another lady laying on her blanket with a couple of her dogs, reading a book. There was a birthday party going on at the park structure, and even a couple weeks ago, there was a wedding.”

“Someone actually thought that it was such a beautiful place, they wanted to go there and get married,” he continued. “When you get to witness those things, sometimes on a daily basis, it is truly an incredible space for this community, and that should not be forgotten.”

“The field is my backyard. It’s where my dogs grew up, my kids grew up,” said Browning. “I appreciate your effort, it’s been an amazingly inventive opportunity for us…and we hope that it goes all the way through.”

Board members closed by expressing gratitude for the spirit of partnership with city leaders. Brinkman highlighted the “multi-generational” value of the park and the collaborative process that had brought the city and school district closer together. 

The board also clarified the legal language of their next step. 

“The resolution that we’re entertaining tonight is just about giving authority to the superintendent to engage in the selling of the property, and it doesn’t guarantee selling to the city necessarily,” Craig reminded the room. 

Brinkman confirmed the resolution gives legal authority for Superintendent Wicks to pursue and finalize the sale, but it contains no language naming the buyer.

The board unanimously passed the resolution, paving the way for negotiations with the city to begin in earnest. If successful, the school district will net $3.6 million for ongoing housing initiatives, and Steamboat’s southside could see Whistler Park preserved as valuable public green space.