Discovery Land’s Stagecoach Mountain Ranch: What's the Latest & What’s Next

Discovery Land Company’s proposed Stagecoach Mountain Ranch remains in the formal planning and approval process with Routt County. While the project has drawn regional and national attention for its scale and private ski-area concept, it remains firmly within the county’s regulatory process, with no approvals in place and no construction timeline established. Even so, its presence in the review pipeline represents one of the most significant long-term development proposals. Here’s where things stand as of early 2026.

Current Status in the Approval Process

Stagecoach Mountain Ranch entered Routt County’s formal review process after its land use applications were deemed complete in September 2025. County staff and outside agencies have since completed initial reviews, and the project is now in what the county describes as a review-and-correction phase, during which the applicant responds to technical comments and requests for additional information.

Public hearings before the Routt County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners have not yet been scheduled. According to the county, hearings will occur only after staff review is complete and revisions are submitted. Current materials indicate hearings are unlikely to begin before spring 2026.

A related 1041 permit review, required for major water and wastewater infrastructure extensions, was initiated in November 2025 and tabled to be considered alongside the broader land use applications.

What is Being Proposed

Stagecoach Mountain Ranch is proposed as a private, membership-based community set on approximately 6,100 acres near Stagecoach Reservoir. For future property owners and members, the proposal includes:

• A private ski area and associated mountain infrastructure

• Approximately 613 private residences

• Club amenities consistent with other Discovery Land Company communities

• Private recreation, hospitality-style services, and controlled access

As proposed, the development reflects Discovery Land Company’s established model: low-density, membership-oriented communities centered on recreation, privacy, and long-term ownership rather than public resort access.

Proposed Community & Regional Components

Separate from the private residential and club environment, the application also includes infrastructure and amenities described as community-serving, including:

• 137 designated workforce housing units intended to accommodate local residents and employees

• A proposed community marketplace and gathering space

• A gas station

• Public park areas

• Expanded trail connections

If approved and implemented as proposed, these elements could introduce services and infrastructure not currently present in Stagecoach. (All components remain subject to review, modification, and approval.)

Key Issues Under Review

As part of Routt County’s review process, staff and referral agencies are evaluating water and wastewater infrastructure, transportation and access impacts, environmental considerations, and the long-term implications of a multi-phase development of this scale. Final conditions, phasing, and infrastructure requirements have not yet been determined.

Discovery Land Company Context

Stagecoach Mountain Ranch is proposed by Discovery Land Company, known for developing private residential club communities across North America, including the Yellowstone Club in Montana. 

Discovery projects are typically structured around exclusive membership and amenity-driven ownership. Rather than operating as public resorts, these communities are designed as private environments with long-term stewardship and limited density.

While the final scope in Routt County will ultimately be defined by the approval process, the association with a nationally recognized private club operator has positioned this proposal differently than a conventional subdivision or resort development.

What This Could Mean for the Local Market

Even in its planning phase, Stagecoach Mountain Ranch is being closely watched because of what it signals for the broader Steamboat region.

For Stagecoach, approval could mark a structural evolution. The combination of private club residences and proposed marketplace, park, trail, and service infrastructure has the potential to shift the area from primarily residential acreage and second-home holdings toward a more defined community center. Over time, the introduction of services and improved infrastructure could influence surrounding property values and buyer perception.

For Steamboat Springs, the implications may extend beyond proximity. Developments of this scale, particularly those associated with established private club operators, tend to elevate regional visibility among high-net-worth buyers active in other mountain markets. Increased exposure and awareness can influence demand patterns, competitive positioning, and long-term planning conversations across the Yampa Valley

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Steamboat market as a whole, reach out to The Agency Steamboat Springs. We will continue to monitor the approval process and update our readers and clients as additional information becomes available.