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Council approves five‑year lease with Tri Lakes Chamber after divided vote
Summary
After months of negotiations, council approved a five‑year lease with the Tri Lakes Chamber of Commerce for 166 2nd Street. The chamber argued the location sustains visitor services; some council members said rent still falls short of market and expressed concern about building maintenance. The resolution passed 4–3.
Monument's council approved a negotiated five‑year lease with the Tri Lakes Chamber of Commerce for the visitor center building at 166 2nd Street following a lengthy discussion about rent, town support and long‑term maintenance obligations.
A committee that included two council members met with Chamber representatives and presented a graduated rent schedule the committee said was more palatable than an immediate jump to market rate. Mark Biddle, chair of the Tri Lakes Chamber, stressed the Chamber's role in providing visitor‑center staffing, meeting space and community event support. "The building at 166 2nd Street has been our home for more than 12 plus years," Biddle said, asking council to weigh the partnership alongside lease dollars.
Some council members said the proposed rent escalation still did not bring the town close to market levels and urged that the town not subsidize facility maintenance longer than necessary. Others argued the Chamber runs on a near‑zero budget and the facility enables economic development and visitor services that justify a phased increase. After debate the council voted 4–3 to approve the lease as negotiated.
Council asked staff to ensure lease revenues are available for typical maintenance and to monitor larger capital needs that may require future budget action.
