Sans Souci Community

The Sans Souci Community, often referred to as the Sans Souci Cooperative, is an extraordinary example of resident-owned affordable housing in one of Colorado's most expensive real estate markets: Boulder. Located at the base of the majestic Flatirons, Sans Souci—French for "without worry"—is a 62-household manufactured home community that offers a rare path to homeownership in Boulder County.

What sets Sans Souci apart is its status as a Resident-Owned Community (ROC). In 2021, the residents successfully purchased the nearly 11-acre park from its corporate owners, transitioning the community into a cooperative. This move was a direct response to steep rent increases under previous ownership and was made possible by new Colorado legislation that grants mobile home park residents the "opportunity to purchase" their parks. This resident-ownership model is intended to secure long-term affordability, stability, and autonomy for the homeowners, many of whom are older and on fixed incomes.

The community's structure means that homeowners own their manufactured homes and collectively own the land beneath them as part of the cooperative. Instead of paying lot rent to a private landlord, the monthly fee is directed toward paying off the co-op's mortgage, property taxes, operational costs, and crucial infrastructure improvements. This transition, while leading to necessary initial increases in lot rents to secure financing and address long-deferred maintenance, is projected to result in significantly more stable and lower rent increases over the long term compared to investor-owned parks, establishing it as a beacon of affordable housing preservation.

While the purchase was a major victory, the co-op immediately faced significant challenges, including the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. Specifically, the community is working on replacing its aging, self-contained water and wastewater treatment facilities, some of which are located in a South Boulder Creek floodplain. This commitment to improvement, supported by the residents and local county government funding, underscores the co-op's dedication to long-term safety and quality of life.

One undisputed fact about the community is its location: residents consistently praise the incredible views. As one satisfied user mentioned, "The views and endless sunshine are arguably the best in Boulder." This unique combination of affordability and unparalleled Colorado beauty makes Sans Souci a truly distinct place to live.

### Location and Accessibility

Sans Souci Community is strategically positioned in a highly desirable, unincorporated section of Boulder County, offering residents quick access to both nature and city convenience. Its address is a key part of its appeal:

1561 S Foothills Hwy, Boulder, CO 80305, USA

• Flatirons Views and Open Space: Located just off Highway 93 (S Foothills Hwy), the community sits directly in the shadow of the spectacular Flatirons. To the west, residents enjoy uninterrupted views and immediate proximity to the tree-dotted open space, providing a unique nature-immersed living experience that is virtually impossible to find at this price point elsewhere in Boulder.
• Access to Downtown Boulder: Despite its scenic, foothills-adjacent location, Sans Souci is only minutes away from the vibrant restaurants, shopping centers, and cultural life of downtown Boulder. Easy access to major roads and nearby streets streamlines commuting.
• Public Transportation: While residents in this area often rely on personal vehicles, there is a bus stop located within a short distance of the park, offering connections to Boulder's comprehensive public transit network for increased accessibility.
• Proximity to Amenities: Essential services are conveniently located. The community is only about five minutes away from grocery stores, various dining options, and access points to the vast network of Boulder hiking and biking trails.
• School District: The community is served by the highly-regarded Boulder Valley Re 2 School District, with assigned schools like Mesa Elementary School and Fairview High School nearby.

### Services Offered

As a resident-owned cooperative, the services provided by Sans Souci are centered on community well-being, infrastructure maintenance, and securing the long-term tenure of its members.

• Resident-Owned Community (ROC) Model: The fundamental "service" is resident control. Homeowners are members of a cooperative that manages the park, making decisions about lot rent, rules, and capital improvements. This model replaces a landlord-tenant relationship with a co-owner relationship.
• Lot Lease/Cooperative Fee: Members pay a monthly fee (often referred to as lot rent or HOA fee, but in this case, a co-op fee) that covers the co-op's operational expenses, insurance, property taxes, and the mortgage on the land. This fee structure is designed for long-term rate stabilization below market rates.
• Infrastructure Improvement Focus: The co-op is actively involved in large-scale projects, including the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility and addressing issues with its self-contained water system. These are critical, collective services aimed at improving the health and safety of the entire community.
• Home Repair and Accessibility Support: Leveraging support from local programs, the community and Boulder County are working to provide grants and funding applications to help low-income homeowners with essential repairs, energy efficiency upgrades, and crucial accessibility improvements, such as building wheelchair ramps.
• Community Governance: The co-op structure provides a service of democratic governance, where residents can serve on the board and participate in decision-making, ensuring the community's future aligns with the needs of those who live there.

### Features / Highlights

Sans Souci’s most defining features are a blend of location-based amenities and its unique, resilient ownership structure.

• Unsubsidized Affordable Housing in Boulder: Sans Souci represents one of the largest reserves of unsubsidized affordable homeownership opportunities in a city notorious for its high cost of living. This is the single greatest feature for Colorado residents seeking an attainable Boulder address.
• Spectacular Foothills Views: The backdrop of the Flatirons and adjacent open space is a world-class feature, offering unparalleled scenic beauty right outside the front door.
• Resident Ownership/Cooperative Model: The community's ROC status provides homeowners with long-term stability and security, protecting them from market-driven economic eviction and providing control over their living environment.
• Community-Focused Improvements: The visible commitment to capital improvement, including the replacement of the wastewater treatment facility and new skirting and siding on homes, demonstrates a focus on improving long-term property values and quality of life.
• Wheelchair Accessibility: The presence of a Wheelchair accessible entrance is a noted feature, with ongoing efforts to improve accessibility within individual homes, demonstrating an inclusive and thoughtful approach to resident needs.
• Private Spaces: While the community is dense, many homes feature a private fenced-in yard and additional storage sheds, providing residents with their own outdoor space.

### Contact Information

As a resident-owned cooperative, official contact and application procedures may vary compared to privately owned parks. Prospective homeowners should reach out to inquire about available homes for sale and the current co-op membership and fee structures.

• Address: 1561 S Foothills Hwy, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
• Boulder County Housing Support (General Inquiries/Programs): 303-441-3929

### What is Worth Choosing: Autonomy and Location

Choosing the Sans Souci Community is a decision to invest in a unique, mission-driven form of homeownership. It is worth choosing Sans Souci primarily for its unparalleled blend of affordability and location in Boulder, coupled with the security of resident ownership. For Colorado residents who have dreamt of owning a home with Flatirons views but found the price unattainable, Sans Souci offers the most realistic path.

The co-op model provides stability against the volatile rental market, with residents stating that the overarching goal of the purchase was "autonomy and security." While there was an initial rent increase to fund the co-op's purchase and necessary infrastructure projects, the long-term vision is a place "without worry," where future increases are minimal and controlled by the residents themselves.

However, it is crucial for interested buyers to understand the current financial realities: you are not just buying a home, you are buying into a co-op that is currently managing a major infrastructure overhaul. Potential residents should thoroughly research:

• The Current Co-op Fee/Lot Rent Amount: Confirm the current monthly fee, which includes the operating costs and debt repayment for the park's land.
• Co-op Responsibilities and Rules: Understand the cooperative model, the required membership process, and the community's bylaws and responsibilities regarding shared infrastructure and home maintenance.
• Home Condition: Many homes are older, and while renovation projects are happening, the responsibility for maintaining the home itself lies with the individual owner.

Ultimately, Sans Souci is a powerful testament to community resilience and a bold investment in long-term, affordable homeownership security in one of Colorado's most beautiful and competitive regions.

Sans Souci Community

1561 S Foothills Hwy, Boulder, CO 80305, USA