Despite “doom and gloom” economic conditions originally anticipated to result from COVID-19, the real estate market has recently exploded in Southwest Colorado, with unique characteristics and differing impacts on various local and regional components. This session surveys the “urban exodus” market activity throughout the region in cities, towns, and rural areas, and explores the benefits and challenges experienced by various communities from the unexpected growth, including aspects such as infrastructure readiness, Zoomer residents, recreation overload, tax and finance, zoning and planning, and other impacts. What is occurring in Southwest Colorado provides a “you might want to look in the mirror” perspective for other interdependent or geographic regions throughout the Western States.