FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Town of Telluride Hires Community Housing Manager James Van Hooser
Van Hooser will lead future housing projects and initiatives to address current workforce housing shortage
(February 28, 2023) – Telluride, CO --- The Town of Telluride has hired James Van Hooser as the new community housing manager. Responsible for administering Telluride’s community housing initiatives, James will work primarily in affordable workforce housing development, specifically to increase the supply of affordable housing through new construction by the public and/or the private sector, non-profits, acquisition, rehabilitation, partnerships, and collaborations.
In addition to leading various future housing projects, Van Hooser will also collaborate on the development of policies related to housing and land use. This position leads projects related to the Town’s long-range housing policies, plans, and housing goals to address the Town’s shortage of housing options for the area’s workforce.
Van Hooser’s broad experience in local government includes seven years working for the Town of Telluride in development review, historic preservation, long range planning, community development, affordable housing policy, and comprehensive planning. In 2020, Van Hooser took a job with the City and County of Denver as a Senior Planner – focusing primarily on expanding affordable housing requirements and incentives through a citywide planning and regulatory initiative, Expanding Housing Affordability.
“One of my primary motivations for taking the job with Denver was to round out my skillset with a larger organization, so that I could one day return to the Western Slope with the experience necessary to take on an expanded role,” said Van Hooser. “Telluride is my home, and the community of my heart.”
Last year, Van Hooser moved back to Telluride to work as San Miguel County’s assistant county manager developing County policies, short- and long-range plans, objectives, and procedures by facilitating problem identification and resolution.
“Given the ongoing and critical nature of creating affordable housing opportunities in Telluride, the Town has created a new Community Housing Manager position to increase our capacity to execute both existing and future housing initiatives,” said Town Manager Scott Robson. “Given James leadership experience and knowledge of the housing profession within multiple jurisdictions, Telluride has added a seasoned professional to team with our Programs Director, Lance McDonald in developing new affordable housing opportunities for our locals. We were really impressed with the quality of candidates who interviewed for the new position, but James’ unique skill sets combined with his deep local knowledge and long-time connection to our community made him the right fit for this critical new role.”
Van Hooser’s work as the community housing manager will begin on Thursday, March 2 in the Manager’s Office at Rebekah Hall. To learn more about current job openings with the Town, please visit bit.ly/telluridejobs.
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Communications Manager
Lindsey Mills
Cell: (303) 319-6448
lmills@telluride-co.gov
ABOUT TELLURIDE
A former Victorian mining town in southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Telluride was incorporated in 1977 as a home-rule municipality. Set in a box canyon amid forested peaks at the base of the popular Telluride ski-and-golf resort, the town’s historic district houses landmarks like the Sheridan Opera House, a performing-arts venue originally built in 1913, and the Telluride Historical Museum, which showcases local history in a converted hospital built in 1896. For more information, please visit us online at telluride-co.gov.