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Trustees give staff direction to offer discounted Kendall Mountain rental to Mile High Jeep Club
Summary
After hearing a presentation from the Mile High Jeep Club, trustees directed staff to negotiate a reduced Kendall Mountain rental rate and approve a camping footprint for the proposed week‑long event, aiming to balance guaranteed weekend rental revenue with the economic impact of a large multi‑day event.
The Silverton Board of Trustees on June 22 directed staff to propose a reduced rental fee for Kendall Mountain to host the Mile High Jeep Club’s week‑long “All for Fun” event and to approve the event’s proposed footprint and logistics.
Jay Mahula, speaking on behalf of the Mile High Jeep Club, described a multi‑day event that typically limits trail participants to about 250 vehicles and draws roughly 600–750 people. The club seeks July 31–Aug. 7, 2027 dates for the event and said it runs vendors, nightly gatherings, volunteer trail cleanups and an auction; the organization said it donates proceeds to children’s hospital charities.
Staff presented a full cost estimate for facility use at about $23,500, including site services; the club proposed a substantially lower number. Trustees debated that figure against the town’s typical revenue from two weekend wedding rentals that would be displaced. After discussion, trustees favored a middle ground and gave staff direction to offer a discounted weekly rate and to confirm operational details (camping footprint, porta‑toilets, roll‑off dumpsters, and traffic accommodations).
One trustee described the tradeoff in practical terms: welcoming a large, multi‑day event that brings many visitors across the town for an entire week can produce substantially more local spending than two smaller weekend rentals. Another trustee noted the club already charges participants an event fee that can exceed local rental rates.
Trustees asked staff to return with the negotiated rate and final logistical plan for a board action or final sign‑off, and to ensure the club provides required insurance and site cleanup. The board also suggested the club could consider a local give‑back component to benefit town needs such as trail maintenance or childcare fundraising.
The board’s direction was framed as authorizing staff negotiation rather than a final contract; the club’s board of directors will decide whether to take Silverton on its calendar next month when it reviews proposals for 2027.
