Grand Lake is moving to position itself as a cultural center of the Rockies. Through its new Space to Create development, the town is transforming the intersection of Park Avenue and Hancock Street into a dedicated sanctuary for artists to live, work and sell their wares.

A series of information sessions about that space will be held at the Sagebrush Bar & Grill in the coming weeks. Representatives from the Town, Grand Lake Creative District and the Grand County Housing Authority will be at each event to discuss the leasing process and answer prospective renter questions.

Events begin this month with drop-in sessions on Feb. 3 and 11, followed by an in-person presentation and FAQ on Feb. 18. A final virtual presentation is scheduled for March 2 to ensure all interested creatives have the details they need before the March 22 application deadline.

A home for creatives

At the heart of the Space to Create project is the 3,000-square-foot Grand Spirit Makerspace. This year-round hub provides a permanent home for the Grand Lake Creative District and offers specialized space for heritage crafts such as woodworking, silversmithing and leatherworking.

The facility features nine affordable live/work rental units designed to bridge the gap between mountain living and professional artistry. Each unit is built to serve as a storefront, allowing residents to integrate their creative process directly with the public.

The town is now ready to fill these spaces, with applications for the units officially opening on March 16.

As construction wraps up this spring, a final fundraising effort is underway to raise $50,000 for makerspace equipment. The community is looking forward to a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony over Memorial Day weekend, marking a new era for Grand Lake’s economy.

By providing stable, affordable space for the creative workforce, Grand Lake is hoping to ensure that the people who define its mountain character can afford to call the community home.