DENVER — A Russian billionaire who owns the steel mill in Pueblo and homes in Colorado's high country could see some of his residential property seized by the U.S. government.
Roman Abramovich, known as the owner of the Chelsea soccer club that he now plans to sell, also owns the EVRAZ steel mill in Pueblo and two mansions in Snowmass, as reported by CNBC.
Officials and community members in Pitkin County are asking the feds to investigate. They're worried the mansions could be liquidated and used to fund Putin's war effort.
One of the homes is a 14,000-square-foot mansion just outside of Aspen. Abramovich purchased it for about $36 million in 2008, but the mansion is reportedly worth more than $50 million in today's market. The other home is a 5,500-square-foot chalet he purchased for just under $12 million.
Forbes also reports that another Russian billionaire, Evgeny "Eugene" Shvidler, is the best friend and a partner of Abramovich. Shvidler also has property in Snowmass that was purchased for $14.5 million in 2008.
> Watch: Russian oligarch's Colorado property could be frozen in US sanction
According to the AP, one of Abramovich's yachts docked in Bodrum, Turkey earlier this week. There, it was met by protesters holding Ukrainian flags that said "No war." Turkey has not joined sanctions on Russia.
CNBC reports the properties owned by the Russian oligarch are prime targets for an asset freeze if Abramovich is sanctioned, as these properties were both purchased and remain under his name. Most American real estate owned by Russian billionaires and oligarchs is held through shell companies or LLCs, CNBC said.
Their report also said the government would not take ownership of the properties unless it's proven Abramovich committed a crime.
The White House has sanctioned several oligarchs to put financial pressure on Russia in response to the war in Ukraine.
Canada, the U.K., Australia and the EU have already sanctioned Abramovich.
9NEWS reached out to the U.S. Attorney General and the Treasury to ask whether these men will be sanctioned or not, but has have not heard back yet.
A spokesperson from Sen. John Hickenlooper's office said they've been in touch with the community in Pitkin County and have forwarded their concerns to the U.S. Attorney. The statement also said, "Senator Hickenlooper supports strong sanctions against Putin and those around him who are enabling his war in Ukraine.”
Sen. Michael Bennet's office said in a statement: “Senator Bennet believes that we must continue to level strong sanctions against Putin and all the cronies in his kleptocracy that empower him. We need to continue to support the people of Ukraine in their pursuit of sovereignty and democracy.”