WELLINGTON, Colo. — For more than six decades, the Wellington Housing Authority (WHA) has quietly served as a cornerstone of this northern Larimer County community. While residents often pass local landmarks daily without a second thought, the history behind those names is deeply intertwined with a commitment to ensuring that senior citizens and local families have a safe, stable place to call home. Today, that mission continues through a vital operational partnership with Housing Catalyst, managing crucial community resources that keep Wellington accessible to everyone.
The story began in December 1965. Recognizing a critical local shortage of safe and sanitary dwelling options, the Wellington Town Board of Trustees officially declared a need for a dedicated local housing authority. On December 28, 1965, the WHA was formally certified by the State of Colorado.
The visionaries who built this foundation are names that remain central to Wellington’s geographic identity today. Original Board Chairman Robert Eyestone dedicated himself to early civic leadership, a contribution commemorated just down the road at Eyestone Elementary School. Similarly, local Notary Public Wilson Leeper officially certified the housing authority’s original documents, and his legacy of community service is mirrored today by the bustling Leeper Center. During their very first special session on December 20, 1965, these original commissioners took immediate action by approving a historic application for the town’s first 50 low-rent public housing units, alongside a 10,000 dollar preliminary loan to kickstart community housing surveys and structural planning…