Tiny Home Community in the Colorado Rockies: Tracey’s Journey

Aerial view of a rural landscape with scattered houses, green fields, and winding roads, set against a backdrop of hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky. Among the homes, a charming tiny house nestles like a tumbleweed embraced by nature's vast beauty.

Nestled in the picturesque town of Bayfield, Colorado is the Marlin Tiny Home Village. Like so many tiny home communities popping up around the US, this village caters to Tiny Home RV owners. The town itself is home to approximately 3,000 people at an elevation of 6,975 feet.

Tracey was beginning the next chapter of her life when her father suggested she explore the remote bedroom community. Upon meeting the village founders, Linda and Mark, a bond was formed and Tracey bought a certified pre-owned Tumbleweed Roanoke 30’ RV they had on site.

A tiny, modern house with a gabled roof is situated in a rural area. A white SUV is parked on a gravel driveway next to the house. Trees and a grassy field are visible in the background, lending an air of simplicity to this Tumbleweed-inspired retreat.

Tracey explains, “Everything felt right. And I kept thinking though, there’s got to be a catch. So far there is no catch. They are just amazing people. I feel like I’m already part of their family.” And when she walked inside the Tumbleweed, the layout of the space drew her to it. “What was most important for me was having a living room area space. And the two lofts are amazing. I have extra room for storage.” Her 30’ tiny home is on the smaller side, featuring 260 square feet on the main level plus 2 lofts adding another 153 square feet. The small space boasts a living space, kitchen, bathroom, office, sleeping loft and storage loft.

A woman in a red patterned top stands in front of a sink washing dishes in the compact kitchen of a tiny house, with various items on the counter and shelves.

Tracey admits she’s still figuring out how to best organize the small space. And her kitchen is full of “fancy things” she hasn’t yet learned to use. Even with all those appliances, from convection oven to washer/dryer combo, she doesn’t have a dishwasher. Instead, Tracey washes dishes in her large sink while admiring the horses outside her kitchen window.

A woman wearing a headset sits at a desk typing on a keyboard in front of a computer monitor. The desk holds a notebook, pens, a can, and other small items. Light comes in through the window of her Tumbleweed tiny house beside her.

Tracey decided to use the downstairs room as her office…

A woman with long hair sits on the edge of a bed in a small, neatly arranged tiny house, smiling. The bed has a colorful quilt and pillows with various patterns.

and place her sleeping area in the larger loft which she loving refers to as her “cozy cocoon”.

A woman with long, blond hair smiles while sitting inside a cozy tiny house, with wooden stairs visible in the background. She wears a brown patterned shirt and a necklace.

Being in a space that is simple and small,  for me … it’s just more grounding.

Tracey

All in, Tracey is spending $1,200 per month including lot rent of $650. The lot payment includes utilities, garbage, water, electric and ground maintenance.

Tumbleweed’s lender network offers great rates and terms on both new and used tiny homes. In many cases, a loan for a used Tumbleweed is hundreds less.

Two people sit at an outdoor table surrounded by potted plants outside a modern Tumbleweed tiny house on a sunny day.

The beautiful surroundings are hard to beat. Her flower garden and table serve as an outdoor room for entertaining her guests. Meanwhile, her tiny home is set amongst one of the prettiest places to visit.

Tracey takes you inside her tiny home in this amazing video by Tiny House Expedition.

Photos courtesy of Tiny House Expedition.

By |2024-08-28T08:00:26-06:00January 1st, 2024|Categories: Tiny House Lifestyle, Tumbleweed Owners|Tags: |12 Comments

About the Author:

Tumbleweed CEO Steve Weissmann began downsizing his life in 2002. After moving into a super small home of around 400 square feet he learned about tiny houses and eventually saw his first Tumbleweed in 2006. Instantly falling in love with the aesthetic and concept, Steve started volunteering his time with the micro-company. In 2007 he became a partner in the business and took the helm as President & CEO. Steve has the longest tenure of any CEO in this industry and is the visionary who pioneered the first Tiny House RV and the first Green Certified Tiny House RV.

12 Comments

  1. Catherine Drennan January 9, 2024 at 7:35 am - Reply

    I have imagined this as my ideal house ever since the very first time I saw one. I could easily see myself living in a country house with a little porch, and the term “less is more“ is what comes to my mind…. Somewhere located in a mild climate, where more time could be devoted to gardening meditation, hiking, and less to house, maintenance or improvements.

  2. Tony Romeo January 9, 2024 at 11:03 am - Reply

    Thanks for sharing Tracey! Your home is lovely!
    Tony

  3. LaVonda Mathis January 14, 2024 at 11:37 am - Reply

    I’m interested I. Building a tiny home this summer how do I get started Wisconsin or Florida maybe Tucson

  4. Lori Sharpe January 25, 2024 at 12:12 pm - Reply

    Great video! How many lots are currently available in Bayfield? How far in advance do you suggest before inquiring about a space? Thank you

  5. Hakan Aydemir January 26, 2024 at 5:07 am - Reply

    Tracy is living a beautiful life amidst nature with her Romeo, and I must admit, I’m a tad envious :) Living in a tiny house away from the city is truly perfect, especially when you’re surrounded by others who also love a minimalist lifestyle. I wish her a happy life with her pets, and I particularly want to mention that I really admire Romeo’s design. Huge greetings from Turkey!

  6. Tracey January 27, 2024 at 12:25 pm - Reply

    Thank you for such a lovely write-up and for sharing my story. Tumbleweed is an awesome company and I appreciate your team’s patience and support as I get settled in.

    p.s. I was just laid-off again (#3), so this is truly my starting over space.

    • Eric ILDEFONSO August 2, 2024 at 5:27 pm - Reply

      I am sorry to hear you have been struggling with layoffs. You look like an amazing and smart woman. Always trust and believe that God has it all under control. I just have one quick question. I have been disabled since 2011. I get a disability check every month. Do you think my disability check would be enough for me to finance on my own? Or do you think finding a roommate would be more helpful? I have been homeless and living in the streets since 2019 and REALLY need to find some place to live. I don’t think my old bones can take another winter outside. I hope this reply finds you well. God bless you

      • Steve Weissmann August 8, 2024 at 10:20 am - Reply

        Eric, I’m sorry to hear about the challenges you’ve been facing, and I appreciate you reaching out. It is possible to get a loan using your disability check, as long as the payments fit within your budget. Lenders typically assume you’ll need $1,000 to $1,500 for monthly living expenses, and the remainder can go toward your tiny home payments.

  7. Phyllis Nelson (Teeple) January 31, 2024 at 10:44 am - Reply

    Perfect for empty nesters who like to be mobile, carefree, and enjoy life!

  8. Erik Bjørn Pedersen January 31, 2024 at 1:06 pm - Reply

    I’m so glad you found a marvellous haven for yourself — a place that meets your modest needs and conveys obvious delight. After your various reversals, told with honesty and emotion, we can all hope that things will be better for you, Tracey, as you settle into your joyful new life at Marlin Tiny Home Village.

  9. Danna Williams March 14, 2024 at 12:57 pm - Reply

    Wow! Tracey, you are an inspiration. I love this movement.

  10. Jean Preston May 20, 2024 at 3:23 pm - Reply

    R there any sites in Rhode Island?

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