Wow.    Living in Steamboat Springs is very special. Being a realtor and loving my job is even better. But now, this is just about perfect. I have frech donuts 3 blocks from my office. On the east coast you have Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme donut shops in every town…sometimes more than one. Here in Steamboat Springs, finding a donut used to mean heading to the bakery department in our local City Market or Safeway. For those of us who know just how good a freshly baked donut from a “real” donut shop can be, let’s face it, super market donuts just don’t cut it. Fast forward to Saturday, August 6th when a new donut shop quietly opened in The Victoria building in downtown Steamboat Springs, CO.  Milk Run Donut Cafe…what a cool name; visions of multi colored sprinkled donuts came to mind im... 08/11/2011

I love old fashioned donuts: Steamboat Springs Commercial - Signs of Revival. Hey Steamboat, we have a new donut shop. Come on, it is like Steve Martin in the "The Jerk" - "I'm somebody now". Well Steamboat Springs, we are a real town now. The Victoria, a newly built mixed use building in downtown Steamboat Springs, might be considered by some to be on the fringe of the central heart of downtown Steamboat.  Perhaps, however, the heart is expanding, like that of the infamous Grinch, to include more blocks of wonderful Old Town along Lincoln Avenue in Steamboat Springs. Because lo and behold, there have been 2 commercial sale contracts recently at The Victoria on 10th Street and Lincoln Avenue, and the opening of a new morning eatery, Milk Run donut café, in the same building just this p... 08/10/2011

Tug-of-War: Funding Air Travel to Steamboat Springs - Who's Gonna Pay? Traveling by air to and from Steamboat Springs, CO involves a three plus hour drive to/from the Denver International Airport for many locals as well as visitors. The fact is that many choose to make the drive versus scheduling flight itineraries around the flights from DIA to the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (30 min. from Steamboat Springs) and/or paying the extra fare to fly from Denver to YVRA. But of course we’d all like a cheaper and quicker way to get to Steamboat Springs. As world-class resort and vibrant second home community, easy access is desirable, but not always easily achievable. It’s an annual tug-of-war when Steamboat’s Ski Corp. attempts to maximize the Fly Steamboat program with the airlines offeri... 08/03/2011

Wyndham Resorts Buys Steamboat Springs Rental Management Company. The Resort Company, formerly known as Steamboat Resorts located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and one of the largest vacation rental management companies in Steamboat, announced on August 1st that they have been sold to Wyndham Vacation Rentals. Local properties in The Resort Company portfolio that will now be under Wyndham Vacation Rentals include: * The Lodge at Steamboat *  Trailhead Lodge at Wildhorse Meadows *  Dulany The Resort Company’s acquisition by Wyndham puts it under the same corporate umbrella with ResortQuest. They will share space on Wyndham’s Vacation Rental website, but remain separate brands in Wyndham’s portfolio. Wyndham Vacation Rentals has over  87,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 count... 08/02/2011

Top 10 Recreational Activities in Steamboat Springs for August With August just around the corner and summer in full swing in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains, I wanted to give you a top 10 activities to keep you occupied.  Steamboat’s Top 10 August Activities (in no specific order) 1.  Hot Air Balloon ride – only takes up the early morning hours, so you’ll have a full day left to enjoy other activities! 2.  Botanical Garden walking tour, and to get there, walk or bike along the beautiful Yampa River Core Trail 3.  Visit Fish Creek Falls and if hiking is on your agenda, hike the Fish Creek trail or just before you get to Fish Creek Falls (on your left) there’s a great hike to an old uranium mine that has spectacular views of the falls too 4.  Tubing down the Yampa River – usually the water ... 07/28/2011

Turn Down That Music – I Can’t Sleep. Buyer beware in Downtown Real Estate in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Steamboat Springs is now dealing with a noise issue between newer downtown condos and local night clubs.  Old Town’s most upscale condominium units in Howelsen Place across the street from the Ghost Ranch Saloon bubbled up a noise concern last summer.  Further complicating the issue was the lack of a clearly defined legal enforcement structure to penalize those in violation of any ordinance in place. In the past five years, mixed use development projects have dominated downtown Steamboat Springs with the Victorian, Olympian, Alpen Glow and Howelsen Place housing both residences and businesses, and redevelopment plans for the Steamboat Ski Area mountain base being skewed toward mixe... 07/25/2011

Sharrow?  What's that? Biking in Steamboat Springs, Colorado just become safer. I saw the new markings on numerous city streets in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and mistakenly thought they indicated bike lanes. However, these markings, called “Sharrows”, instead are meant to be a reminder to people that roads have many uses: cars, bikes, runners, bears, skunks, deer, etc. Something like a cross between an "arrrow" and "share".  Like ride this direction and share the road.  Hmmm, not sure how necessary that is, but if it’s a step in the right direction for a  town seeking to become known as Bike Town USA, then it is important to community residents and the community at large. Having the moniker of Bike Town USA will, by association, increase the cycling infrastructure as well as tourism. S... 07/22/2011

Perry-Mansfield Premieres - World-Class Performances in Steamboat Springs. Living in a small has its advantages and disadvantages. Moving from Seattle 6 years ago to Steamboat Springs I can highlight a few distinct differences: food, culture & coffee.   But now there are less. I addressed a little bit of these items here. Last night I took my 8 year old to 2 performances at the PerryMansfield Professional Intensive Theater in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. But before I begin, I have to say 2 things: I grew up in Seattle and attended many performances at highly accredited theaters. And two, I had a minor in theater arts at Whitman College, in Walla Walla, Washington. I'm not saying I'm a theater critic, but I do have a little background or experience in the arts. I left last nights perform... 07/16/2011

Steamboat Springs, Co. Real Estate Market Report June 2011 Steamboat Springs Real Estate Market Report June 2011 Water and Real Estate: As Fish Creek Falls boomed with late spring and early summer snow melt, home buyers also found the allure of urban living, western style of course, with 6 sales transactions occurring on properties in the downtown area. New retail stores like White Pepper for the latest fashions and new restaurants like Sambi for fantastic sushi, combined with the tried and true Steamboat favorites along the Lincoln Avenue corridor, are attracting the city dweller amenity seeking real estate buyer. Why not have the best of both worlds – leave your car at home and walk to the many downtown attractions or take the free bus to the ski mountain. Where’s the highest price pe... 07/13/2011

Location Neutral Professionals? Steamboat Springs is Ready. Does living in a resort town, working from home, skiing on powder mornings & mountain biking in late day alpenglow sound more appealing than a twice daily commute to the corporate office? It does for many professionals making their ideal career move away from suburban sprawl to Ski Town USA®. Keeping location neutral professionals connected to their corporate headquarters requires ongoing enhancements to the local broadband, cellular telephone and airline services. Economic development initiatives hinge on keeping pace with the need to be connected to others on multiple platforms across time zones around the clock. Here's a recent post from the local Steamboat Springs paper highlighting an individual that has been location neut... 07/11/2011

Countdown to Ikea: Look out Steamboat Springs, your kitchens are about to change! Look out Steamboat Springs, your kitchens are about to change. People in Steamboat Springs, Colorado count down the days to the next ski season. For many here, life revolves around skiing. But I want to let you know Steamboat, that in roughly 18 days and counting, there's going to be a transformation in our homes, town homes and condos. I saw this years ago in Seattle where I lived and sold real estate as well. When Ikea comes to town, the kitchen starts to look different. Now Ikea is not coming to Steamboat Springs. But they are coming to Denver which is 3 hours away. But that is close enough to have a huge impact on the kitchens of Steamboat Springs. Yes, Ikea sells way more things than kitchens. They se... 07/09/2011

Country living and nature at its best! Privacy and panoramic views await you at this 35.43 acre homestead just 15 miles west of Steamboat Springs. Views that unfold the Steamboat Ski Area, Zirkel Wilderness and the gorgeous valley right out your front door. Mature landscaping and the wildlife surrounds you day by day in your very own sanctuary. This exceptional Montana Log Home encompasses a 6+ bedroom and 8 total bathrooms including full and half, 7,817 square foot main residence and an attached caretaker unit that is roughed in for a kitchenette and a 3-car heated garage. Master Bedroom has wrap around windows with a large walk-in closet also attached master bath including jet tub, exercise room is adjacent. Featuring large rooms with lots of space and storage throughout, built-in ca... 07/08/2011

Join us for the most anticipated and colorful summer weekend in Colorado. The 31st Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and 37th Annual Art in the Park have become a staple of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the Summertime. On Saturday, start your day at Bald Eagle Lake for a spectacular early-morning affair as you watch over 40 hot air balloons rise softly from the mist and drift over the Yampa Valley. Afterwards make your way over to West Lincoln Park for Steamboat's biggest arts and crafts festival. Mark your calendars because this weekend is an absolute favorite for the entire family! 31st Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo Launch  Field:  For the ultimate experience, you are invited to join us on the launch     field to watch the pilots prepare for take off! This is a great photography opportuni... 07/08/2011

Thinner air, thinner people? We're getting fatter - but not in Colorado.  Today, some breaking news that's worth repeating:  Colorado has the lowest obesity rate in the country. I'm sure an entire new study would need to be performed to understand why. But I'm going to speculate and apply my thoughts to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Year after year Americans gain weight. Since 1995, every state but one has seen an increase in obesity. But Colorado residence seem to be breaking this trend. And Steamboat Springs might just be a good example of why this is so.  See recent article about obesity throughout the country. I live an active lifestyle. I grew up skiing, going on hikes and being pretty active in athletics. But as we grow older we tend to have less time to exercise and the pounds jus... 07/07/2011

108th Annual Cowboys' Roundup Days & July 4th CelebrationThursday, June 30th - Monday, July 4th, 2011  For over 100 years Steamboat Springs, Colorado has celebrated Independence Day in true western fashion, with events for the entire family. Kick back in your boots at several community events including a community all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, the annual Yampa Valley Bank parade down Lincoln Avenue, Pioneer Days Block Party featuring a free community concert and Root Beer Floats for the kids, evening rodeos, and the Ranch Rodeo where local ranches compete against one another in the Old West tradition. Join us for a breathtaking fireworks display at historic Howelsen Hill which holds the distinction of being one of the country's oldest ski areas in continuous use. This nighttime ex... 07/02/2011

I have been musing over how often I hear, "Hi Kelly, I want to buy a ranch in Colorado.  Can you help me?"  On a quick trip up to Steamboat to look at properties I was thinking about this and the thought a series about areas of the state would be helpful. Today's focus is Steamboat Springs - located in the North/central area of Colorado and popular because of air traffic (commercial and private jets) into the Steamboat airport.  You are about a 3 hour drive from Denver.   Steamboat is unique as a ski resort because when you drive into town the "Welcome to Steamboat sign" says the altitude is 6900 feet.  For a ski resort this is is pretty low and for someone who prefers a lower altitude this can be very attractive.  However, this does not affect the snow or amount of snow received.   Ste... 07/01/2011

Come by to enjoy this one of a kind log home in Steamboat Springs Colorado this Saturday, July 2nd, 3-5pm. Take a virtual tour of this home by clicking on the following link: Log Home in Steamboat If you would like a private tour, please call Gabriele Seide at 970-819-9891. 06/28/2011

For a virtual tour of this home click on the link below: Steamboat Springs Log Home in Canyon Valley Ranch Country living and nature at its best! Privacy and panoramic views await you at this 35.43 acre homestead just 15 miles west of Steamboat Springs. Views that unfold the Steamboat Ski Area, Zirkel Wilderness and the gorgeous valley right out your front door. Mature landscaping and the wildlife surrounds you day by day in your very own sanctuary. This exceptional Montana Log Home encompasses a 6+ bedroom and 8 total bathrooms including full and half, 7,817 square foot main residence and an attached caretaker unit that is roughed in for a kitchenette and a 3-car heated garage. Master Bedroom has wrap around windows with a large walk-in closet also attached master bath including jet t... 06/28/2011

Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series is the most successful weekly rodeo in the country. While the roots of rodeo in this modest little Northwestern Colorado ranch town/world class ski resort trace back over 100 years, the humble beginnings of the weekly rodeo were in the mid 1970's as the "Friday Night Jackpot." Contestants gathered once a week to compete for their accumulated entry fees. Within a few of years, the Jackpot Rodeo grew to include Saturday night as well as Friday and the Steamboat Springs Rodeo Series name was coined. In 1988, the first and last weekends of the 10-week series were sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and were known as Ski Town Stampede I & II. With the success of its first two forays into ProRodeo,... 06/22/2011

31th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo & 37th Annual Art in the Park July 9 - 10, 2011 Join us for the most anticipated and colorful weekends of the summer. The 31st Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and the 37th Annual Art in the Park have become a staple of Steamboat in the Summertime. On Saturday, start your day at Bald Eagle Lake for a spectacular early-morning affair as you watch over 40 hot air balloons rise softly from the mist and drift over the Yampa Valley. Afterwards make your way over to West Lincoln Park for Steamboat's biggest arts and crafts festival. Art in the Park takes place on Saturday from 9-5 P.M. and on Sunday from 9-4 P.M. Mark your calendars because this weekend is an absolute favorite for the entire family! Launch Field For the ultimate experience, you are invited to jo... 06/22/2011