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Steamboat Springs — Art Goodtimes knows growth. And he knows the problems that stem from growth - a need for affordable housing, considerations about land use, environmental concerns, the pace of development - are similar in ski towns and booming counties statewide.

Up for his fourth term as a San Miguel County commissioner, Goodtimes will address those issues Saturday at the Community Alliance of the Yampa Valley's annual gathering. The free event starts at 6 p.m. at the Depot Art Center and includes refreshments.

"I think there's a number of issues that could relate to what's happened in Routt County," Goodtimes said about drawing local connections to growth in the southwestern San Miguel County, which includes Telluride Ski Resort.

"Affordable housing, I think, is always critical. Transportation is one of those that never goes away," he said. "One of the key elements I think to dealing with growth is land planning."

Goodtimes said it can be difficult to find a suitable rate for growth and development - a rate that doesn't escalate so quickly it overwhelms the land, but also rises steadily enough to ensure economic benefit.

"It's kind of a tricky balancing act that you have to do. You don't want to put growth so low on the totem pole that it stops," Goodtimes said.

Steve Aigner, an organizer for Community Alliance, said Saturday's meeting marks eight years of contributing to the environment, health and welfare in the Yampa Valley. He said Community Alliance has dealt with big-box stores, affordable housing and commercial linkage - issues similar to those in Aspen, Telluride and other resort communities.

"They're a little bit ahead of us in terms of dealing with growth and figuring out how to make it work for the community," Aigner said of Telluride, adding that the issues remain relevant.