FORT COLLINS, Colo. — As corporations buy mobile home communities in Colorado, vulnerable residents are struggling with rising lot rent, water contamination and raw sewage leaks.
Denver7 Investigates has learned the state program charged with regulating mobile home communities and investigating complaints has a years-long backlog in complaint investigations.
Now, residents in Fort Collins are taking matters into their own hands, trying to find solutions to Colorado’s mobile home crisis.
Skyrocketing lot rent
In her quiet corner of the Aspen Mobile Home Community in Fort Collins, Jennifer Stoffels said she barely has enough water pressure to keep her small garden alive.
“You can’t shower and water the plants at the same time,” said Stoffels. “Ain’t got no pressure at all.”
The real pressure in her community, she said, is on lot rent.
“Just since the new ownership of the park two years ago, it’s gone from $650 to $945,” said Stoffels, reporting a 45% increase that she and many of her neighbors can’t pay.