Eagle mayoral candidate Tom Olden in his own words
Courtesy photo
Why are you running for mayor?
Eagle is at a crossroads. The town my family moved to 24 years ago is not the same; growth is outpacing infrastructure, downtown is languishing, and decisions are being made by Town Council without much acknowledgement of public input. We need to protect what makes Eagle special, support local businesses with smart effort, and ensure development truly benefits residents. I’m running to represent the people of Eagle — not special interests — and to help guide our town back to the tranquil lifestyle we moved here for.
What’s your plan for balancing continued growth and development in Eagle while preserving the town’s character and its scenic beauty?
Putting residents first — not outside developers. I’ll prioritize updating infrastructure before approving new development and ensure clear community benefits come with any project. I’ll fight to protect our open space, wildlife and small-town identity by enforcing the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. We need honestly affordable housing, not unchecked density that strains roads, schools and water. I’ll restore transparency, make it easier for local builders, and involve longtime residents in decisions. Growth isn’t the enemy — irresponsible growth is. I’d like our kids and grandkids to be able to afford living here.
How can Eagle support local businesses and workers?
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Reduce our tax to encourage local businesses to stop delivering their product outside of Eagle to avoid our high tax, reduce excessive water tap and sewer fees, streamline permitting and eliminate policies that push businesses out of town. Listen to local successful business owners and prioritize economic development that reflects community values — not outside interests. Build a local economy that reduces the need for upvalley commutes by incentivizing job growth right here in Eagle. I’ll repurpose underused public assets, like converting Town Hall into a boutique hotel, to generate revenue and revitalize downtown.
Many Eagle residents work in the upper valley. How do you propose to improve transportation infrastructure and manage traffic congestion as the town expands?
We critically need improved emergency ingress and egress, which ties in to managing current congestion and transportation challenges. We must reevaluate costly projects, like the $70 million Grand Avenue redesign, in light of Gypsum’s planned interchange, which could reduce our traffic by 67%. Smart infrastructure investments should come before new development approvals, not after. High-density building should occur on transpo corridors, not in open space. I’ll push for common-sense, resident-focused planning, which ensures that growth doesn’t overwhelm our roads — or our quality of life.
What strategies would you implement to maintain affordable housing options for residents as rising property values continue to outpace area median incomes?
To keep housing genuinely affordable in Eagle, we must stop approving massive developments without requiring infrastructure or community benefits. Restoring the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance will ensure that schools, roads, emergency services and water are in place before breaking ground. I’ll reduce excessive fees and create incentives for workforce housing, which will support families, not just high-end growth. Affordable housing shouldn’t be a buzzword — it should be a result of responsible, resident-first leadership.
