City manager outlines biomass-to-methane proposal and regional lodging-tax idea; county review ongoing

City Manager GG Dennis reported on two regional initiatives during the May 7 meeting.

First, she described a proposal from a company identified in the meeting as Yoseite Clean Energy to build a biomass-to-methane plant in Rio Grande County. Dennis said the project team is seeking roughly 40 acres near a rail line for a facility with a footprint of about three acres and a stack reported in discussion as roughly 150 feet tall. County commissioners had invited the company to present; Dennis said regional foresters indicated sufficient biomass feedstock in parts of the county and that proponents suggested the plant could support forest-cleanup efforts and create jobs. Dennis stressed that the site would likely be outside Monte Vista city limits; the county process and local permitting would govern next steps.

Second, Dennis described ongoing tourism coordination across valley jurisdictions and a proposal to allow a marketing tax on lodging up to 6 percent under state law. The idea would require approval by multiple counties and a public vote; proceeds would be used to market the St. Louis Valley region jointly rather than single jurisdictions marketing independently. Dennis encouraged council consideration of endorsing regional cooperation if the proposal moves forward.

What’s next: both items are at an early, exploratory stage. The biomass proposal will advance through county review and the tourism-tax idea would require interjurisdictional coordination and voter approval.