Residents of San Lazaro Mobile Home Park in Boulder County, Colorado, are scrambling to purchase their own community after owners announced plans to sell the property for $42.5 million. Colorado law grants mobile home park dwellers a 120-day right of first refusal, meaning the more than 800 residents must submit a matching offer by July 18. Many tenants , including a 93-year-old who has lived there since 1966, fear that corporate ownership would trigger steep rent hikes or redevelopment, displacing families and seniors.

The $42.5 Million Bid and the July 18 Deadline

According to the report, the park's current lot rents hover around $1,000 per month — roughly 40% below the national median of $1,673 — making it a rare pocket of affordable housing in Boulder County. The property's $42.5 million price tag sets a tight timeline: residents must secure financing for the full amount within the statutory window or risk losing the community to a new owner. a steering committee of nine residents has formed to coordinate the effort, and both city and county governments have pledged support, including a joint appraisal.

A 93-Year-Old Resident and 800 Neighbors Face Uncertain Future

The community is home to a diverse mix of long-term residents, including a 93-year-old woman who has lived at San Lazaro since the park was established in 1966. As the article notes, many tenants have decades of roots in the area and pay well below market rates for their lots. Residents fear that a corporate buyer would raise rents, potentially forcing them out of a county where housing costs have soared. The high stakes have galvanized the community, but the clock is ticking on the July 18 deadline.

The Sans Souci Precedent: How a 2021 Resident Buyout Worked

San Lazaro residents are looking to a nearby success story for inspiration. In 2021, residents of the Sans Souci manufactured home community in the same county successfully purchased their park through a mix of loans, grants, and government support.. According to the source, that acquisition stabilized rents and boosted home values, proving that resident ownership can work. San Lazaro hopes to replicate the model by seeking a $26 million loan from private lenders and filling the gap with local government grants and private donations. Attorney Brian Ray, representing the park owner, told the report that the owner is eager to explore a resident purchase and will work in good faith.

Who Will Finance the $26 Million Loan?

A central open question is how the residents will bridge the financing gap. The report says they are targeting a $26 million loan, with the remainder coming from public and philanthropic sources. But securing that amount from banks — especially for a community with limited financial history — is far from guaranteed. Industry expert Glenn D. Esterson notes that 20-30% of manufactured home communities nationwide are now resident-owned, but he warns that ownership transfers financial burdens, requiring strong organization and reliable capital access. The city and county are obtaining an appraisal, but binding commitments from state housing authorities remain unclear. Without a clear funding path, the July 18 deadline looms as a make-or-break moment for the park's future.