mmccolm@valleypublishinginc.com 

MONTE VISTA- Music filled the air, as residents walked up and down Stallo Street, and explored newly completed homes on Saturday June 13. The Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation (CRHDC) celebrated National Homeownership Month with its third annual Homeownership Celebration on 9th and Stallo Street in Monte Vista. 

Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the free event brought together families, community leaders, local businesses, future homeowners, and housing professionals for an afternoon focused on the importance of homeownership and community development throughout the San Luis Valley. 

"This is our third annual Homeownership Celebration that we have had. We are having this in the month of June because June is recognized as Homeownership Month," said Cheryl Smith of CRHDC. 

The celebration offered something for everyone. Children enjoyed a bouncey house while attendees cooled off with complimentary rolled ice cream served throughout the day. Food vendors offered a variety of menu options, including stacked hamburgers, mini pancakes, tacos, hot dogs and other refreshments. 

"We have vendors out here, we have free entertainment, we have free food," Smith said. "We have rolled ice cream, free rolled ice cream all day." 

Entertainment remained a focal point throughout the event. Courtney Espinoza performed for attendees, while students from Miss Kais School of Performing Arts entertained the crowd during the day. Members of the Del Norte Mini Cheerleaders added to the festivities. There was also face painting, and a bake sale. 

"We have Courtney Espinoza singing on stage right now," Smith said during the event. "We love Courtney. She teaches at the Performing Arts School." 

While the food and entertainment created a festive atmosphere, the centerpiece of the celebration was the opportunity to tour newly completed homes built by CRHDC and learn more about pathways to homeownership. 

This year's event showcased CRHDC's first stucco home available for public viewing. 

"We have our first-ever stucco home that is available for touring," Smith said. "It has a lot of features we've never done before." 

According to Smith, the home included hardwood flooring throughout, quartz countertops and several upgraded features designed to enhance both comfort and functionality. 

Among those leading tours was Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman, who also serves as Chief Operating Officer for CRHDC's San Luis Valley operations. Throughout the afternoon, Coleman welcomed attendees and guided them through one of the organization's newest homes, answering questions and highlighting its many features. 

During the tour of the Stucco home, Coleman pointed out the home's spacious four-bedroom, two-bath design and attached two-car garage. One of the most impressive spaces in the home was the kitchen, which featured a stainless-steel refrigerator, quartz countertops and a large wraparound island that serves as the centerpiece of the room. 

The master bedroom Coleman showed, offered a spacious retreat complete with a large walk-in closet, while additional walk-in closets throughout the home provided ample storage space. The attached garage, conveniently accessible through a door leading directly into the kitchen area, added another practical touch to the home's design. 

Outside, the large fenced-in backyard was one of the property's most standout features. Coleman explained that the family purchasing the home was still deciding how they wanted to use the space. With plenty of room for vehicles, outdoor gatherings, children's play areas, gardening projects or future additions, the backyard offers endless possibilities for the new homeowners to make it their own. 

The stucco home tour offered a firsthand look at the craftsmanship, and modern amenities incorporated into the home while demonstrating the quality housing opportunities CRHDC continues to bring to communities throughout the San Luis Valley. 

CRHDC has long worked to expand affordable housing opportunities across Colorado through housing assistance and community development programs. The organization helps families achieve stable housing and build long-term financial security through homeownership. 

National Homeownership Month is observed each June to recognize the role homeownership plays in strengthening families and communities.  

For more information on CRHDC you may visit their website at crhdc.org.