A Colorado Religious Retreat Just Became Pitkin County’s Priciest Residential Purchase Ever

Pitkin County, Colorado, is no stranger to high-dollar real estate deals, as it is the county in which Aspen is located, but the most expensive residential purchase in the county’s history just took place, in which a religious property was sold for the first time since 1956.

What is Colorado’s St. Benedict’s Monastery?

The property, located at 1012 Monastery Road in Snowmass, Colorado, was known as St. Benedict’s Monastery.

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St. Benedict’s Monastery was founded in 1956 by Trappist Monks following a fire that destroyed their previous monastery, which was located in Rhode Island in 1950.

In the early years of the monastery, the monks worked to produce candy, raise cattle and chickens, but in 1995, the property was expanded to contain numerous additional buildings and was converted into a retreat.

Who Purchased Colorado’s St. Benedict’s Monastery?

Now, for the first time since 1956, St. Benedict’s Monastery will not be a religious retreat for monks as the 3,700-acre property was recently purchased by a billionaire by the name of Alex Karp.

Karp is the co-founder and CEO of a data analysis firm known as Palantir Technologies, a company that works closely with government agencies, the military, and corporations, known for its products Gotham and Foundry, which are used to aid law enforcement, counter-terrorism efforts, and intelligence operations.

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Palantir was also founded by Peter Thiel, Stephen Cohen, Joe Lonsdale, and Nathan Gettings.

Read More: See a Historic Aspen Colorado Monastery before it Goes Away

When asked about the recent high-dollar purchase, Pitkin County Commissioner Jeffrey Woodruff expressed remorse, stating the following:

The monastery had brought neighbors together to marvel at the awe of the natural surroundings. The Order of Saint Benedict has guided this valley spiritually for decades.

Check out the full story here.