Episode #12
What Colorado Mountain Towns Can Learn From Vail’s Growth | Ep 12
What can today’s Colorado mountain towns learn from a resort community that has already spent decades navigating tourism, second-home ownership, housing pressure, and reinvention? In this episode of Real Estate in the Rockies, Ashley Kappel and Jessica Chariton sit down with Mark Gordon, Broker/Owner of Christiania Realty in Vail and a longtime leader in local, state, and national real estate organizations. Mark shares what Vail learned about treating housing as infrastructure, using inclusionary zoning and deed restrictions, balancing residents with tourists and second homeowners, and making growth work for the community rather than allowing it to happen by default. The conversation also explores Vail’s billion-dollar renaissance, why listening and compromise lead to better decisions, proposed changes to the federal capital gains exclusion for homeowners, and how artificial intelligence may reshape the real estate industry. In This Episode Why housing must be treated as essential infrastructure in resort communities How Vail uses inclusionary zoning, deed restrictions, and public-private partnerships What happens when a mountain town becomes dominated by second homes Why tourism and full-time residents need each other How Vail reinvented itself through long-term planning and private investment Why growth can strengthen a community when it happens on local terms How listening to opposing viewpoints improves leadership and governance The proposed expansion of the federal home-sale capital gains exclusion How AI may change real estate without eliminating the need for skilled professionals Memorable Quotes “Housing is infrastructure.” “A community cannot be only second homeowners.” “Growth is not bad if growth is on your terms.” “People want to be heard and listened to and engaged with.” “Change is neither good nor bad. There is good change and bad change.” Guest Bio Mark Gordon is the Broker/Owner of Christiania Realty in Vail, Colorado, where he has built one of the valley’s most respected boutique firms. A full-time Realtor since 2008, Mark specializes in luxury resort and second-home properties across Vail, Beaver Creek, and Eagle County. He also serves on the development team for The Apogean, a new luxury project in Lionshead. His industry leadership reaches well beyond the Vail Valley. Mark is a Director of the National Association of Realtors, Chair of the Colorado Association of Realtors Insight Advisory Committee, and a longtime member of the NAR Resort and Second Home Committee. He is a Past President of the Vail Board of Realtors and a past member of the RRC national Board of Directors. His professional designations include CRS, RSPS, and ABR. Guest Links Website: https://vailcoluxuryhomes.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markgordonvail LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markgordonvail Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vailmarkgordon/ Real Estate in the Rockies is the podcast exploring Colorado mountain real estate, housing, land use, development, zoning, community growth, and mountain living in Salida, Buena Vista, Chaffee County, and communities across the Rockies. Hosted by Colorado real estate attorney Ashley Kappel and local realtor Jessica Chariton, the show brings together developers, community leaders, housing experts, investors, and local voices to break down the conversations shaping mountain towns today. Whether you’re buying property in Colorado, navigating real estate development, exploring affordable housing challenges, or simply interested in the future of mountain communities, Real Estate in the Rockies delivers real conversations and local insight from the people living and working in these communities every day. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for new episodes every week. Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/ Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/ Please share this podcast with anyone who is interested in Real Estate development, Community Conversations about living in Colorado Mountain Towns.
