Monte Vista council opens public hearing on sale of 2.54-acre Sky High parcel for proposed hotel

Monte Vista Mayor Dale Becker opened a public hearing on the proposed sale of a 2.54-acre parcel in the Sky High complex and asked council whether staff should finalize a purchase contract for a locally financed hotel development. City staff said the parcel’s most recent appraisal values the land at about $300,000 and that a feasibility study supported a four-story, 62-room hotel serving Sky High events and other valley demand.

The sale matters because staff and the buyer say an on-site hotel would capture overnight visitors who now leave the valley, bring event-driven lodging revenue to Monte Vista and reduce maintenance pressure on some city recreation assets; opponents warned the location could disrupt Sky High activities and public access.

City Manager DJ summarized project history dating to 2023: the city completed a hotel feasibility study through Core Distinctions Group that recommended a hotel sized for this market, worked with local investors and lenders including RG Bank, resolved deed and zoning issues dating to 1919 and earlier ordinances, and pruned the sale parcel to roughly 2.54 acres. DJ told the council the appraisal obtained in September 2023 remains valid based on a recent review; the appraiser’s letter states it is the appraiser’s opinion the prior site value “would still be salient,” a fact staff used to set the contract purchase amount at $300,000.

Tim Shefik, identified as the buyer’s development representative on the call, said the buyer group will be a locally owned business entity and that the land will not be owned by Cobblestone or Bridal Builders directly. He said the site selection favored visibility and access from the highway and that the hotel’s placement is intended to help shield adjacent residential buildings from lights and noise while keeping the hotel close enough to the event center to support pedestrian use during large events.

Resident Ken Van Eyghorn, speaking in opposition, said he had several concerns about the parcel choice and planning: “I don't see a master plan including this with all the streets, what are where they're gonna move all those, when is this all gonna happen?” He suggested alternate parcels, including an 11-acre property he identified as belonging to the Sky High Stampede and adjacent parcels, that he said would be less disruptive to carnival and event traffic.

Staff described mitigation measures and related site adjustments: the city said it will move baseball fields to the middle school (staff estimate cited a $750,000 renovation cost if fields remain on site), preserve drive access and easements (including a Clear View extension easement that will remain unvacated), retain an east-side right-of-way between the proposed hotel parking and the McMullen Building, and keep some ballfield fencing temporarily to preserve the stampede footprint for the near term. The city also said it mailed notices well beyond the minimum radius and posted signage on the property for several weeks to maximize public notice.

After public testimony, City Attorney Gene Farish advised the council that two legal prerequisites for the sale under Monte Vista Municipal Code §28-50 had been satisfied: the city had an appraisal by a qualified appraiser and the hearing provided the public notice required by code. DJ asked council whether to proceed; council members indicated support for staff finalizing contract documents and returning a resolution and closing date for formal approval at the May 15 meeting.

Direction and next steps: staff will finalize the purchase contract, prepare required easements and title documents, and present a resolution and closing package for council action at the May 15 meeting; the contract includes multiple closing conditions to be satisfied before transfer. No final sale or transfer occurred at this meeting.