Colorado Springs Residents Embrace the ‘Tiny Homes’ Movement

COLORADO SPRINGS — In the beautiful landscapes of Southern Colorado, a new housing trend is quietly taking shape. As the traditional costs of homeownership and apartment renting continue to rise, many residents are embracing an alternative way of living that speaks to both affordability and a minimalist lifestyle: the ‘tiny homes’ movement.

The tiny home revolution is not entirely new, but it’s gathering momentum as people search for solutions to the housing crunch. The average price of a home in Colorado Springs skyrocketed to $555,403 in July of 2023, according to GreaterColoradoHomes.com. In stark contrast, the price of owning a tiny home in Colorado ranges between $30,000 and $95,000, as reported by TheTinyLife.com.

“Over time it’s kind of grown, it’s still kind of a niche market,” said Sophia Dondi, the Customer Satisfaction Manager with Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. “But a lot of people are shifting that vision of the American Dream, and maybe it’s not the 5 bed 4 bath house; it’s something much smaller.”

The Tumbleweed Tiny House Company specializes in building tiny houses on wheels, each spanning just 400 square feet. Despite the limited space, these homes are designed with ingenuity, maximizing the space with loft bedrooms, compact kitchens, and ingenious storage solutions.

Dondi believes that this trend is more than a fleeting interest, seeing it as a sustainable solution to the region’s housing problems. “There is always going to be a need for housing, there is always going to be a need for affordable housing. People are definitely going to need a different option,” she said.

Tumbleweed, along with several other tiny home builders, has seen a steady increase in demand for their services, tracing the trend back to 2017.

This movement is more than just a housing trend; it’s a new way of life for some Colorado Springs residents like Gina Lancaster. She has lived in her tiny home for the last year after experiencing financial hardship. “Living in a tiny house, and being homeless at one point in time, this has been the best blessing I have ever been,” she said.

For Lancaster, the transition to a tiny home wasn’t just about saving money; it was about finding a new, sustainable way of living. “Living in a 4000 square foot house in Peyton, that was a bit much,” said Lancaster. “You have a house; it’s just smaller.”

The tiny home movement in Colorado Springs represents more than a response to high housing costs; it’s a shift in mindset, a reevaluation of needs, and a fresh approach to living.

Those interested in learning more about this trend can explore the tiny house show in Colorado Springs from August 17-19 at the Norris Penrose Event Center. The show promises to offer a glimpse into the world of tiny living, showcasing innovative designs, practical solutions, and a community of people embracing a new way of life.

In a time when housing affordability has become a major concern, tiny homes offer an intriguing alternative that combines financial savvy with a novel lifestyle choice. It is a movement that appears to be growing, and for many, it’s becoming not just an option but a way of life.