Cabins in Aspen, Free for the Taking (Almost)

It's one thing when the city of Detroit gives away homes for just $1,000 down, but chic Aspen?

Aspen is apparently struggling to get rid of three historic cabins. The catch: The owner must move them.

Estimates are that it will cost about $10,000 to $20,000 to relocate each of the historic cabins that the city of Aspen, Colo., and surrounding Pitkin County are trying to unload. The 1950s city-owned cabin is currently stashed in a city park; it was sold once in auction, but the buyer reneged on taking it when moving it across state lines made the deal more complicated. Sales price: $661.

The city came to own the 600-square-foot cabin (pictured) as part of a redevelopment project. The city thought it might have historic value and hung onto it; it's now on PublicSurplus.com, an eBay-like website for excessive government property.