San Luis Valley Development Resources Group presents demographic profile and economic outlook to Monte Vista council

Sarah Stober, director with the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group and Council of Governments, briefed the Monte Vista City Council on demographic trends and regional economic indicators intended to inform local planning and investment decisions.

Stober said the region remains anchored in agriculture — “in excess of 350,000,000 dollars” annually — and emphasized the sector’s connection to water-security efforts. She summarized recent increases in tourism since the COVID pandemic, noting Visitations to Great Sand Dunes National Park have roughly doubled and lodging-tax revenue remains about 30% above 2020 levels, trends that can extend visitor stays and local spending.

On population, Stober described a long-term decline in both city and county population and raised questions about out-migration among younger people; she pointed to a spike in the 30–39 age cohort and a decline in the 15–30 cohort. She highlighted that roughly 40% of the local population is Hispanic and that 29.3% of county residents have incomes below the federal poverty line, figures she identified as key for service planning.

Stober also reviewed local wage figures and household-income brackets, telling council that the county’s reported average weekly wage was far below the state average and asking whether the city should expand workforce training, pursue certification programs, or partner with nearby colleges to build local capacity. She noted the DRG/COG business loan fund has closed nearly $2 million in loans in the valley so far this year.

Stober closed by listing DRG/COG objectives for 2025 including workforce-strengthening efforts, economic diversification, grant support for infrastructure, and expanded community services to address senior food insecurity and other social needs. She offered to follow up with council members and staff who want to explore partnerships or more detailed data.

Quotes recorded in the transcript include Stober saying she is “kind of a geek because I like all those numbers,” and emphasizing, “We are creating the future of the city by making investments like that in your own backyard,” referring to local facilities such as the Sky High Complex and a new hotel under construction.

The presentation prompted no formal council action at the meeting but the data were presented as context for future budget and policy decisions.