Colorado mountain leaders believe a new U.S. Forest Service rule could be a ‘gamechanger’ for affordable housing projects on federal land

Colorado mountain leaders believe a new U.S. Forest Service rule could benefit efforts to build affordable housing on federal lands. The Forest Service announced late last month that the finalized rules for its administrative site leasing program would take effect on Dec. 2. The program, established in the 2018 Farm Bill, allows agencies to lease or exchange underutilized administrative properties — such as ranger stations, storage facilities and office spaces — to third parties including local governments or private partners. “This is a good thing,” said Scott Fitzwilliams, who retired last year after 15 years as the supervisor of the White River National Forest, the country’s most visited national forest. “It should provide flexibility for both the Forest Service and any partners that are involved that need to get financing or things like that.

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