Losses and Gaines

Aspen has some more celebs to add to its roster. Chip and Joanna Gaines, of HGTV “Fixer Upper” fame, recently bought a property on the outskirts of town with the intent to not just make a “dream vacation home” for their family of seven but, of course, to document the transformation. The three-episode “Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House” debuted Dec. 9, and hijinks immediately ensued for the Waco, Texas, couple, including a run-in with a bear.

According to HGTV, in the show, “Chip and Jo tackle the renovation of the 1960s mountain property laden with the unique design and construction hurdles that come with high-altitude living. Together, they’ll blend original midcentury details with European-inspired finishes, transforming the home into their own timeless family retreat nestled in the Rockies.”

Of course, since this is Aspen, the term “fixer-upper” is relative. The location of the house was never disclosed, but the Denver Post sleuthed out that the $5.5 million, 2-acre property is in the Woody Creek area, former home to none other than Hunter S. Thompson. In addition to a 3,662-square-foot main house, the property also has two additional cabins and a trail that goes down to the Roaring Fork River. (The exact address was not published to prevent looky loos and rubber neckers.)

The three-part special marks the couple’s first-ever “Fixer Upper” project outside their home state of Texas. However, this is hardly the first show to feature mountain home redos. In 2022, HGTV’s “Building Roots” showcased another Texas-transplant couple, Ben and Cristi Dozier, renovating homes in Pagosa Springs. And last year, the HGTV design competition “Battle on the Mountain” came to Breckenridge.

The final episode airs next Tues., Dec. 23, on HGTV (it also streams on HBO Max and discovery+). Will the bear stay out of the hot tub? Will Chip get his first snow blow? Will the 2WD family truckster slide off the icy driveway into the ditch? Tune in to find out.