A safe place to start over

When people think about substance abuse, they often picture large cities. But here in Gunnison County — a place known for mountain views, ski slopes, and a tight-knit community — the struggle is closer than many realize.

Local data estimates that 22–28% of Gunnison County residents struggle with substance use disorder. Alcohol misuse rates are significantly higher than the state average, and opioids remain a leading concern.

Recovery does not happen overnight. And it doesn’t happen alone.

One of the most critical — and often overlooked — components of long-term recovery is safe, stable sober housing. And here in Gunnison, finding affordable housing is always a challenge.

That’s why, over the past two years, Gunnison Sanctuary Housing partnered with Oxford House to open two sober living homes in Gunnison: one for men and one for women, including mothers with children.

A Fresh Start

Phil Bohannon arrived in Gunnison in late 2023 to help open the men’s home, now known as Oxford House-Castles.

He had already spent time living in several Oxford Houses across Colorado during his own recovery journey. He knew firsthand what sober housing could mean. 

Today, Phil, now approaching four years of sobriety, serves as a Peer Support Specialist with GVH Behavioral Health and Mobile Crisis, where he uses his lived experience with addiction and recovery to build trust with individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. He often shares that Oxford House was a critical part of his early recovery — providing the stable living environment, accountability, and peer support that helped him rebuild his life. 

Oxford House operates on a peer-supported model. Residents are self-governing, hold one another accountable, and share the common goal of sobriety. Nationally, the model has been in place for over 50 years, with more than 80% of residents maintaining long-term sobriety.

Since opening in early 2024, the men’s home has served more than 30 men — many of whom had experienced homelessness, incarceration, or prolonged substance use before arriving.

For Zac, walking through the door meant everything.

“I came into Oxford House-Castles freshly sober, homeless and having lost my parental rights with my son,” Zac said. “This house gave me the chance to focus on what was important and to rebuild myself from the ground up. I’m two years sober now. I got my master plumbing license, started a plumbing business and most importantly — I have my son back.”

Stories like Zac’s are not uncommon. They are the reason sober living housing matters.

A Home for Women — and Mothers

Encouraged by the success of the men’s home, Gunnison Sanctuary Housing opened a second property in Fall 2025: Oxford House-Hartman Rocks.

The women’s home has space for up to six women. Two of the bedrooms are designed specifically for women who are parenting young children and need a stable place to recover while keeping their families intact.

It is currently the only Oxford House on Colorado’s Western Slope that allows women to live in recovery housing with their children.

And right now, there are beds available.

Although community partners — including Project Hope, law enforcement, and the judicial system — identified strong demand for women’s recovery housing , the home has not yet reached full occupancy. Since opening, only four women have lived there, and none have yet brought children into the home.

The need exists. The space exists. What is needed now is awareness.

A Community Investment in Recovery

The homes were made possible through a combination of local support and opioid settlement funding, including grants facilitated by the Southwest Colorado Opioid Response Council.

Rather than focusing solely on short-term programs, these funds were invested in infrastructure — creating long-term housing stability that strengthens the entire recovery system in Gunnison County.

Because the men’s home is fully paid off, Gunnison Sanctuary Housing and Oxford House are committed to ensuring the women’s home has time to grow into full sustainability.

Recovery is not just about abstinence. It is about dignity. It is about structure. It is about community. And sometimes, it is about giving someone a safe bedroom in a substance-use free home where they can begin again.

Women seeking sober housing — including mothers with children — are encouraged to inquire about availability at Oxford House-Hartman Rocks by visiting www.oxfordvacancies.com. Referrals are welcomed from treatment providers, case managers, courts, and community partners.

Recovery has a home in Gunnison.

And there is room at the table.