--- title: "Here comes Hayden: One of Colorado’s last down-valley ski towns to pop is having its moment" description: Discover Hayden, one of Colorado's emerging towns, as it balances growth and small-town charm. Experience the sense of community and rural heritage that makes this town special. image: https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Hayden1_073121.webp --- Theme + Migration = $1489 (Pay for the Theme Only). [Learn More.](https://www.lpd-themes.com/migration) [![logo-white](https://rcedp.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=219&height=100&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://rcedp.org/) - [Events](https://lu.ma/rcedp) - Entrepreneurship - [Entrepreneurship Center](https://rcedp.org/entrepreneurship-center) - [High Country Accelerator](https://rcedp.org/hca) - [Business Support](https://rcedp.org/business-retention-expansion) - Key Industries - [Key Industries](https://rcedp.org/key-industries) - [Major Employers](https://rcedp.org/major-employers) - Yampa Valley - [Overview](https://rcedp.org/overview) - [Communities](https://rcedp.org/data/yampa-valley-communities) - [Workforce Development](https://rcedp.org/workforce-development) - [Sustainability](https://rcedp.org/sustainability) - [Transportation & Infrastructure](https://rcedp.org/transportation-infrastructure) - [Taxes & Financing](https://rcedp.org/taxes-financing) - [Learn More](https://rcedp.org/yampa-learn-more) - Data - [Property Search](https://rcedp.org/data/properties) - [Explore Communities](https://rcedp.org/data/properties-0) - [Community Overview](https://rcedp.org/data/communities) - [Occupation Data](https://rcedp.org/data/occupations) - [Demographics](https://rcedp.org/data/demographics) - [Labor Force](https://rcedp.org/data/labor-force) - [Consumer Expenditures](https://rcedp.org/data/consumer-expenditures) - [Wages](https://rcedp.org/wages) - [Businesses](https://rcedp.org/businesses) - [Talent & Education](https://rcedp.org/data/talent-pool) - [Economic Reports](https://rcedp.org/economic-reports) - [News](https://rcedp.org/news) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [RCEDP Team](https://rcedp.org/team) - [Mentor Network](https://rcedp.org/mentor-network) - [Economic Development Council](https://rcedp.org/edc) - [Board of Directors](https://rcedp.org/board-of-directors) - [Donate](https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Routt-County-Economic-Development-Partnership) [![logo-white](https://rcedp.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=219&height=100&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://rcedp.org/) [![logo-white](https://rcedp.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=186&height=85&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://www.rcedp.org) - [Events](https://lu.ma/rcedp) - Entrepreneurship - [Entrepreneurship Center](https://rcedp.org/entrepreneurship-center) - [High Country Accelerator](https://rcedp.org/hca) - [Business Support](https://rcedp.org/business-retention-expansion) - Key Industries - [Key Industries](https://rcedp.org/key-industries) - [Major Employers](https://rcedp.org/major-employers) - Yampa Valley - [Overview](https://rcedp.org/overview) - [Communities](https://rcedp.org/data/yampa-valley-communities) - [Workforce Development](https://rcedp.org/workforce-development) - [Sustainability](https://rcedp.org/sustainability) - [Transportation & Infrastructure](https://rcedp.org/transportation-infrastructure) - [Taxes & Financing](https://rcedp.org/taxes-financing) - [Learn More](https://rcedp.org/yampa-learn-more) - Data - [Property Search](https://rcedp.org/data/properties) - [Explore Communities](https://rcedp.org/data/properties-0) - [Community Overview](https://rcedp.org/data/communities) - [Occupation Data](https://rcedp.org/data/occupations) - [Demographics](https://rcedp.org/data/demographics) - [Labor Force](https://rcedp.org/data/labor-force) - [Consumer Expenditures](https://rcedp.org/data/consumer-expenditures) - [Wages](https://rcedp.org/wages) - [Businesses](https://rcedp.org/businesses) - [Talent & Education](https://rcedp.org/data/talent-pool) - [Economic Reports](https://rcedp.org/economic-reports) - [News](https://rcedp.org/news) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [RCEDP Team](https://rcedp.org/team) - [Mentor Network](https://rcedp.org/mentor-network) - [Economic Development Council](https://rcedp.org/edc) - [Board of Directors](https://rcedp.org/board-of-directors) - [Donate](https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Routt-County-Economic-Development-Partnership) [![logo-white](https://rcedp.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=219&height=100&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://rcedp.org/) - [Events](https://lu.ma/rcedp) - Entrepreneurship - [Entrepreneurship Center](https://rcedp.org/entrepreneurship-center) - [High Country Accelerator](https://rcedp.org/hca) - [Business Support](https://rcedp.org/business-retention-expansion) - Key Industries - [Key Industries](https://rcedp.org/key-industries) - [Major Employers](https://rcedp.org/major-employers) - Yampa Valley - [Overview](https://rcedp.org/overview) - [Communities](https://rcedp.org/data/yampa-valley-communities) - [Workforce Development](https://rcedp.org/workforce-development) - [Sustainability](https://rcedp.org/sustainability) - [Transportation & Infrastructure](https://rcedp.org/transportation-infrastructure) - [Taxes & Financing](https://rcedp.org/taxes-financing) - [Learn More](https://rcedp.org/yampa-learn-more) - Data - [Property Search](https://rcedp.org/data/properties) - [Explore Communities](https://rcedp.org/data/properties-0) - [Community Overview](https://rcedp.org/data/communities) - [Occupation Data](https://rcedp.org/data/occupations) - [Demographics](https://rcedp.org/data/demographics) - [Labor Force](https://rcedp.org/data/labor-force) - [Consumer Expenditures](https://rcedp.org/data/consumer-expenditures) - [Wages](https://rcedp.org/wages) - [Businesses](https://rcedp.org/businesses) - [Talent & Education](https://rcedp.org/data/talent-pool) - [Economic Reports](https://rcedp.org/economic-reports) - [News](https://rcedp.org/news) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [RCEDP Team](https://rcedp.org/team) - [Mentor Network](https://rcedp.org/mentor-network) - [Economic Development Council](https://rcedp.org/edc) - [Board of Directors](https://rcedp.org/board-of-directors) - [Donate](https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Routt-County-Economic-Development-Partnership) # Here comes Hayden: One of Colorado’s last down-valley ski towns to pop is having its moment By [Colorado Sun](https://rcedp.org/news/author/colorado-sun) August 13, 2021 at 5:37 PM 1 Minute Read *Town leaders are preparing for an influx of newcomers while working to maintain their ranching heritage and small-town vibe.* **HAYDEN** — Mathew Mendisco plucks his beer mug, No. 67 and flagged with a Sasquatch sticker, off its hook at the Yampa Valley Brewing Company and heads to the bar for a refill.  Mendisco, Hayden’s town manager, chats with the bartender, then waves at the three other people sitting in the brewery after work on a Tuesday. He knows all of them. One of the guys at the table is married to Mendisco’s dentist, who is also the dentist for the rest of the town.  This is why Mendisco lives here, in this tiny town of 2,100 people about 25 miles west of Steamboat Springs along the Yampa River. Having his own mug with a long-running tab is cool, but he’s here for the sense of community and small-town identity that he and other Hayden residents are working to build.    [Read The Full Article](https://coloradosun.com/2021/08/13/hayden-down-valley-skisteamboat/) ## Recommended For You [![](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Hayden-power-plant-and-cows-in-winter-CROPPED-1024x638-1.jpg)](https://rcedp.org/news/colorado-puc) 1 Min Read ### [Colorado PUC moves to give extra financial help to towns losing coal-fired power plants, but there’s a catch](https://rcedp.org/news/colorado-puc) [![Picture of Colorado Sun](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/CO%20Sun.png) Colorado Sun January 22, 2026 at 1:30 PM](https://rcedp.org/news/author/colorado-sun) [![](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Screenshot%202023-10-11%205.53.12%20PM.png)](https://rcedp.org/news/colorado-mountain-towns-top-the-list-of-top-micropolitan-areas-in-the-united-states) 1 Min Read ### [Colorado mountain towns top the list of top micropolitan areas in the United States](https://rcedp.org/news/colorado-mountain-towns-top-the-list-of-top-micropolitan-areas-in-the-united-states) [![Picture of Denver 7](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Denver%207.png) Denver 7 January 8, 2023 at 5:58 PM](https://rcedp.org/news/author/denver-7) [![](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design-3.png)](https://rcedp.org/news/the-vital-role-of-agriculture) 1 Min Read ### [The Vital Role of Agriculture in Northwest Colorado’s Economy](https://rcedp.org/news/the-vital-role-of-agriculture) [![Picture of Steamboat Pilot & Today](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/P%26T%20Logo.jpg) Steamboat Pilot & Today April 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM](https://rcedp.org/news/author/steamboat-pilot-today) #### Stay Connected Get the latest local business resources and stay informed about long-term economic sustainability initiatives. --- ![logo-white](https://rcedp.org/hubfs/logo-white.png) Routt County, Colorado +1 (970) 717-0721 [info@rcedp.org](mailto:info@rcedp.org) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/RCEDP) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/routt-county-economic-development-partnership/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/rc_edp/) [Follow us on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/user/31yb7rxgbioad423hr67hisepumu?si=1c120763ec024429) - [Events](https://lu.ma/rcedp) - [Entrepreneurship](https://rcedp.org/entrepreneurship-center) - [Business Support](https://rcedp.org/business-retention-expansion) - [Key Industries](https://rcedp.org/key-industries) - [Yampa Valley](https://rcedp.org/overview) - [Data](https://rcedp.org/data/communities) - [News](https://rcedp.org/news) - [About Us](https://rcedp.org/partnership) - [Donate](https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Routt-County-Economic-Development-Partnership) Copyright © 2024 Routt County Economic Development Partnership [Privacy Policy](https://rcedp.org/privacypolicy) | [Terms and Conditions](https://rcedp.org/termsandconditions) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Colorado Sun", "url" : "https://rcedp.org/news/author/colorado-sun" }, "dateModified" : "2023-10-11T23:37:35.400Z", "datePublished" : "2021-08-13T23:37:00.000Z", "headline" : "Here comes Hayden: One of Colorado’s last down-valley ski towns to pop is having its moment", "image" : [ "https://rcedp.org/hubfs/Hayden1_073121.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://rcedp.org/news/here-comes-hayden-one-of-colorados-last-down-valley-ski-towns-to-pop-is-having-its-moment", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://rcedp.org/hubfs/RCEDP-logo-color.png" }, "name" : "Routt County Economic Development Partnership" } } ```