A new study has revealed that the majority of homes in Snowmass Village are vacation homes that stand vacant most of the year.
Between 61 percent and 68 percent of homes in the 41-year-old resort are second homes, the report states, depending on the definition of “full-time” resident.
The study was commissioned by the Sopris Foundation, a locally based nonprofit that focuses on land preservation and energy sustainability. Last year, Sopris released a study called “Anybody Home?” that found that 58 percent of Aspen’s real estate is second homes, and concluded that those homes emit the majority of carbon coming from Aspen.
While this study did not evaluate emissions in Snowmass Village, a press release about its results bluntly states, “One of the Foundation’s concerns is the amount of energy wasted on empty second homes.” It also notes the 5.4 million square feet of heated flooring in Snowmass Village residences, which alone emit an estimated 57,221 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
“Whether a home is empty might not necessarily mean anything as far as higher or lower emissions,” said Rick Heede, who runs Snowmass-based Climate Mitigation Services and reviewed the study for Sopris. “But, clearly, this presents an enormous opportunity to increase efficiency and reduce waste.”
The results of the second-home census come at a time when the Snowmass Village Town Council is considering establishing a Renewable Energy Mitigation Program, which in essence would make large-home owners pay fees on energy-intensive luxuries like heated driveways and pools. The program is expected to translate into millions of dollars in environmental grants.
Council members contacted for this story were not surprised by the new study’s findings.
“This is not a shock,” said Councilman Arnie Mordkin. “We knew that a substantial number of single-family homes and condos in Snowmass are second homes.”
“Throughout history there’s always been enclaves of empty homes,” said Councilman Reed Lewis. “We are one of the places people have vacation homes.”
Sopris director Piper Foster and other Foundation representatives are addressing Snowmass Village officials on Tuesday to present the results of their study and air their attendant concerns.
andrew@aspendailynews.com
