Beyond the property line that separates municipalities and mobile home parks, residents in communities throughout Larimer County and across the United States continue to address concerns about their drinking water. For many families living in mobile home parks, lack of confidence in the safety and reliability of their drinking water has persisted.
Recently, Harmony Village Mobile Home park was featured in the investigative report from Associated Press (AP) by Michel Phillips, who conducts an in-depth investigation into the complexities of water in mobile home parks across the nation https://apnews.com/article/mobile-homes-water-drinking-safety-health-12adbeeb1d880644b0fc85957b083fcd
Some residents shared that frequent water outages and low pressure affect their daily lives by not being able to cook, wash, or properly do their laundry. Participants of our Mi Voz leadership program have raised these concerns for several years now and have formed an advisory team dedicated to addressing water safety issues in Larimer County. Resolving water issues in mobile home parks can be a daunting process, it requires effective communication and continuous planning with city and county government.
For a long time now, multiple stories have been shared about cloudy tap water, metallic tastes, and water shut offs that arrive without warning. The infrastructure itself is often outdated and costly to repair or replace, and without external investment or regulatory pressure, park owners may postpone necessary upgrades.
It is important to acknowledge that mobile home parks are a source of affordable housing for millions across the US, just in Larimer County we have forty-two mobile home communities, and our Mi Voz program works with the leaders of twelve of them.
Mi Voz Leaders an Example of Resilience and Advocacy
Despite multiple challenges, residents are organizing and addressing their concerns with local governments to brainstorm targeted actions. CSU Colorado Water Center has been pivotal in ensuring that residents in some communities have access to water filters. Currently, Mi Voz is pursuing options to continue water testing programs, infrastructure upgrades, and policy changes coupled with data collection that will serve as evidence for further analysis and potential solutions. However, restoring trust in drinking water requires a collective effort and the leaders of Mi Voz are equipped with the knowledge and skills to advocate for an efficient system.
But just as important is the work happening on the ground: neighbors helping neighbors, communities documenting their experiences, and coordinated advocacy efforts to hold decision-makers accountable. The struggle for safe, trustworthy drinking water in mobile home parks is about more than pipes and pumps—it’s about dignity, health, and the right to live without fear. By listening to residents, supporting grassroots efforts, and demanding systemic change, we can regain trust.
Water Quality & Access is one of the many projects that the Mi Voz leaders are currently working on. If you would like to support this project or receive more information please reach out!
Gloria Kat
970-818-2887