Meet the Development Team: Rural Homes

During the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Rural Homes was selected to deliver the homeownership portion of the Salt Flats development because of their mission-driven approach and proven ability to deliver affordable, workforce housing in Colorado’s rural and small-town communities.

Unlike many developers, Rural Homes is a non-profit, vertically integrated builder focused exclusively on long-term affordability, workforce stability, and community well-being. Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that housing should strengthen communities and remain affordable across generations. By blending innovative construction techniques, smart financing, and deep partnerships with local employers and governments, they are redefining how workforce housing can be delivered efficiently, sustainably, and equitably.

Rural Homes’ guiding commitments include:

Community First – Direct engagement with local employers, governments, and residents ensures projects are designed for the workforce that lives there.
Efficiency & Innovation – Use of modular construction, bundled subcontracting, and value engineering reduces costs without compromising quality.
Long-Term Affordability – Homes are deed-restricted with capped appreciation, energy-efficient design, and no additional HOAs or metro districts to keep ownership costs low.
Holistic Support – Beyond construction, the team provides down payment assistance, mortgage support, bilingual guidance, and even integrates home-based childcare options.

Modular Innovation: Building Smarter with Fading West

A cornerstone of Rural Homes’ approach is their partnership with Fading West, a Buena Vista–based modular home factory that has quickly become a statewide leader in affordable housing innovation. By manufacturing homes in a controlled factory environment, Fading West reduces construction waste, shortens timelines, and provides consistent, high-quality builds. Homes are then transported to the site and assembled with precision, dramatically cutting costs compared to traditional methods.

Choosing a Colorado-based modular factory and a rural-focused developer has economic significance for Grand Junction. Every home produced through Rural Homes and Fading West supports jobs in small towns, local subcontractors, and Colorado’s manufacturing sector—helping to circulate investment back into rural communities rather than sending dollars to national, for-profit builders. This model not only addresses housing needs but also fuels regional economic development, ensuring that the solutions to Colorado’s housing crisis are built by Colorado communities themselves.

The Rural Homes Team

David Ware – CEO, Rural Homes
David recently joined Rural Homes as the CEO. Previously, he led McStain Neighborhoods in Denver, delivering more than 15,000 homes. He contributes extensive expertise in large-scale residential development and sustainable building practices to Rural Homes’ projects.

Paul Major – Manager, Rural Homes; President, Paradox Community Trust
Paul leads Rural Homes with decades of experience in community development and philanthropy. As the founding CEO of the Telluride Foundation, he has overseen major investments in housing, healthcare, and community resilience. Paul’s leadership emphasizes transparency, innovation, and partnerships that expand access to homeownership.

Dylan Conway – Development Manager
Dylan brings expertise in real estate development and investment, with a background managing large master-planned rental neighborhoods and boutique condominiums in New York City. He oversees financial modeling, entitlements, and site planning, and manages sales and closings for Rural Homes projects.

Sheamus Croke – Operations Manager
A Telluride native, Sheamus is dedicated to community engagement, communications, and supporting homebuyers—particularly first-time and Spanish-speaking households. He also leads outreach, partnerships, and program implementation, ensuring Rural Homes remains responsive to community needs.

Paradox Community Trust Board Advisors
Rural Homes is further supported by a highly experienced advisory board that includes leaders such as Daniel Tishman (Tishman Realty & Construction), Richard Betts (ASAP Accounting & Payroll), Megan Ferguson (Impact Development Fund), and Amy Latham (Colorado Health Foundation), among others. Their collective expertise in finance, construction, philanthropy, and policy ensures that Rural Homes projects are resilient, affordable, and community-centered.

Rural Homes at Salt Flats

At Salt Flats, Rural Homes will deliver a new neighborhood of 48 affordable for-sale homes designed for households earning up to 100% of Area Median Income (AMI). Homes will include a mix of two- and three-bedroom residences priced from approximately $225,000–$349,000, with deed restrictions to preserve affordability long-term. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with homes ready for families to move in by 2027.

By bringing their values-driven approach, experienced team, and rural-based construction partnerships to Grand Junction, Rural Homes will ensure that Salt Flats includes a vibrant, stable homeownership community—giving local workers and families the opportunity to thrive.

👉 Learn more about Rural Homes: ruralhomessales.org