Hayden – A Favored Location for Homeowners
Ranching heritage and community spirit runs deep in the town of Hayden, a short 25-mile drive on Highway 40 west from Steamboat Springs. The former county seat has become a favored location for homeowners who seek an authentic western lifestyle without the pricetag of Steamboat.
The population of Hayden is just over 2,000 with a growth rate of 10% since 2010. In the same decade, the senior population has doubled due in part to the lower elevation, moderately warmer climate and increased medical care.
Growth Bringing New Opportunities
“The town is growing and I think the new growth will bring a lot of new opportunities for the community,” said Cindy Wright, a longtime Hayden resident.
Last year, Hayden School District opened its doors to a brand new 139,000 SF, Pre-K through 12th grade school. The district received a $38.8M grant from Colorado’s Department of Education and Hayden voters approved a $22.9M bond to complete the project. Enrollment for the 2021/22 school year is 452 students, up significantly from 384 students last year.
“It’s an incredible facility and we are so lucky to have such a safe space and state-of-the-art learning environment for our kids,” said Rachel Wattles, the Arts Director at the Hayden Community Center.
The Community Center was the original senior school and has been repurposed as a hub for a plethora of uses including fitness classes, workshops and youth programs. Increased amenities and its central location for those employed in Craig and Steamboat makes Hayden an attractive location for commuters.
“We’ve got new businesses coming to town, we’ve got a weekly farmer’s market where local producers can sell their goods and on the whole there’s a real sense of people wanting to support one another,” Wattles said.
A Community with a Shared Appreciation for the Land
Wattles and her husband Ryan, who grew up on the family ranch, feel that the community has always shared an appreciation for the land. “We have fisherman, hunters and people who work the land,” she said. “We all enjoy and value the space we are so lucky to have here.”
Hayden is an outdoor lover’s paradise with access in every direction to spectacular public lands. On the edge of town sits the Carpenter Ranch, run by the Nature Conservancy. It is a haven for bird lovers and an education tool for conservation and agriculture. The ranch and the Hayden Heritage Center Museum are magnets for tourists and locals wanting to know more about their locale.
“The town is a safe place to be,” Wright said. “Kids can still be kids and money hasn’t been an issue that can divide a community. We’re pretty close-knit and I think people would say we are supportive and above all else, we’re welcoming.”