Sara Ott: Aspen — Learning from a sister city

Why developers became partners, not obstacles

Sara Ott

Former City Manager 2019-2025
City of Aspen, Colorado
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29 Nov 2025 - Podcast - Show reader view

Topics: Alternative Tenures · Community Models · Financial Models · Financing Homes · Inclusionary Housing · Long-term Outcomes · Regulation · Resource Planning

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As sister cities, Aspen and Queenstown share more than scenic beauty; they're both wrestling with what happens when free-market real estate prices workers out of resort towns. Sara Ott, Aspen's city manager at the time of this interview, brings hard-won lessons from a community where the average home costs $13 million, yet mixed-income neighbourhoods thrive.

We spoke with Sara about the housing pressures in Aspen and the parallels with the Queenstown Lakes region. In particular we spoke about Inclusionary Zoning and the partnership with developers required to benefit long-term communities through affordable housing initiatives.

We'd like to thank Sara for taking his time to speak with us for this episode and don't forget to subscribe to the CHA Hub Podcast where ever you get your podcasts from.

This CHA Hub Podcast is sponsored by our Founding Partner, Westpac New Zealand.

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