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It’s been another difficult year for many who call Routt County home. But as our community readies to close the books on 2011, there are reasons for optimism that 2012 will be a better year for us all.

The real estate and construction industries that helped fuel the tremendous growth experienced here in the middle of the past decade continued to struggle in 2011. Total real estate sales appear poised to finish behind last year’s. New construction starts seemed nonexistent for much of the year.

But there were some silver linings. Although there were about 300 foreclosure starts this year, 2011 will be the first year since at least 2006 in which that number didn’t increase. In addition, sales of bank-owned propertied doubled in 2011, a sign that the lingering inventory of foreclosed homes is being absorbed, clearing the path for a return to market stability.

The number of Routt County households needing health and human services assistance continued to increase in 2011. Fortunately, we live in a community full of generous residents and businesses that donated incredible amounts of money and time to helping the neediest among us. But that doesn’t mean that life didn’t remain incredibly difficult for some.

There was much good that happened this year, too. The winter of 2010-11 ended with tremendous snowfall. The resulting abundance of water resulted in some flooding throughout the area, but damage was kept to a minimum.

The growing momentum for cycling in Routt County reached a fever pitch in August when the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge came to town for two days and transmitted images of Steamboat Springs to an international audience. The energy and enthusiasm felt here during that Friday afternoon in the summer was unlike anything most of us have experienced in Steamboat.

Despite the struggles of the real estate and construction industries, the retail sector began to rebound in 2011. Sales tax revenues in the city consistently outperformed 2010. And although still significantly above its 2007 level, the unemployment rate in Routt County has dropped a couple of percentage points from a year ago.

Perhaps one of the year’s biggest accomplishments is something that won’t actually be done until summer 2012. Colorado Mountain College’s Alpine Campus, in addition to beginning to offer bachelor’s degree programs in two disciplines, is revamping its campus with a 60,000-square-foot building using state-of-the-art technology. When complete, the Alpine Campus’ newest addition has the potential to make a significant long-term economic and quality-of-life impact in our community.

We hold out hope that 2012 builds on the momentum of the second half of 2011. Lodging occupancy for the holiday week is up from last year, and for the second consecutive month, the national Consumer Confidence Index has increased substantially. And while much remains uncertain — including whether Routt County will play host to an enduring oil and gas development play — what is undoubtedly clear is that the spirit of our community has not been broken by economic circumstances. That’s something we can all raise a glass to.