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brad
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Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1843
Location: Denver, CO
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 Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject: Cuchara Co-op? Could be what Cuchara needs to reopen... |
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| Quote: |
By TAMMY ALHADEF
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
CUCHARA - Homeowners may band together to resurrect a defunct ski area that's left winter visitors with few recreational options and residents with a sagging economy.
More than 30 people came to hear Ben Rainbolt, director of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Cooperative Development Center, speak on how the group could go about turning the Cuchara Valley Ski Resort into a cooperative.
A combination of poor management and lack of snow shuttered the resort off and on for 12 of its 27-year history. Owners who purchased the resort in 2002 have never opened the doors.
Saying that restaurant and retail sales have dropped since the area was shut down, homeowner Steve Perkins said he hoped that reviving year-round activities would create a positive "ripple effect" for business owners.
"A ski resort would certainly be a first for us," Rainbolt said. While most of the co-ops the farmers union helps to incubate are dealing with renewable energy and food distribution, Rainbolt said a cooperative ski resort isn’t a new idea. Vermont’s Mad River Glen ski area has been skier-owned since 1995.
Rainbolt suggested that the group meet with members of other ski resort co-ops to address potential challenges.
One of the first steps the group will have to take is to generate a feasibility study. The study would determine, among other things, if the area could be bought and at what price. The group would also need to raise sufficient capital to run the ski area for several years without relying on profit.
"Most of the co-ops that don’t make it fail because they don’t raise enough capital," Rainbolt said.
Texas trio Curtis Bruner, former U.S. Rep. John Bryant and an unnamed party purchased the ski area in 2002. The U.S. Forest Service revoked former owner John Lau’s permit to run ski lifts on the part of the ski area that sits on federal land. The new owners have yet to have that permit renewed. |
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-Brad
ColoradoSkiHistory.com |
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brad
Admin Staff
Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1843
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:06 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | The next meeting for the Cuchara Mountain Recreation Co-op will be on Saturday, April 5 at 10 AM. We will be meeting at the Cuchara Sanitation & Water District office on CO 12 just a short drive south of the village. We will be continuing to develop structure and explore the feasibility of the concepts. The steering committee is requested to attend and the meeting is open to anyone interested in the concepts. |
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-Brad
ColoradoSkiHistory.com |
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brad
Admin Staff
Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1843
Location: Denver, CO
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Summit
Beginner
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Cuchara, CO
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Cuchara Co-op? Could be what Cuchara needs to reopen... |
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Hello Brad and Everyone...
Just wanted to say "Thanks" for helping to keep Cuchara on the map...
My name is Bob Reece and I am a member of the Recreational Co-op
working to get Cuchara open for skiing once again. There are a lot of
determined people here in the Valley that truly want to see the ski area
open up again, as well as provide for additional recreational opportunities
in the area.
We're excited to make it happen and we are moving forward.
Thanks again for your posts. We will update you with new information as
we can...
| brad wrote: | | Quote: |
By TAMMY ALHADEF
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
CUCHARA - Homeowners may band together to resurrect a defunct ski area that's left winter visitors with few recreational options and residents with a sagging economy.
More than 30 people came to hear Ben Rainbolt, director of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Cooperative Development Center, speak on how the group could go about turning the Cuchara Valley Ski Resort into a cooperative.
A combination of poor management and lack of snow shuttered the resort off and on for 12 of its 27-year history. Owners who purchased the resort in 2002 have never opened the doors.
Saying that restaurant and retail sales have dropped since the area was shut down, homeowner Steve Perkins said he hoped that reviving year-round activities would create a positive "ripple effect" for business owners.
"A ski resort would certainly be a first for us," Rainbolt said. While most of the co-ops the farmers union helps to incubate are dealing with renewable energy and food distribution, Rainbolt said a cooperative ski resort isn’t a new idea. Vermont’s Mad River Glen ski area has been skier-owned since 1995.
Rainbolt suggested that the group meet with members of other ski resort co-ops to address potential challenges.
One of the first steps the group will have to take is to generate a feasibility study. The study would determine, among other things, if the area could be bought and at what price. The group would also need to raise sufficient capital to run the ski area for several years without relying on profit.
"Most of the co-ops that don’t make it fail because they don’t raise enough capital," Rainbolt said.
Texas trio Curtis Bruner, former U.S. Rep. John Bryant and an unnamed party purchased the ski area in 2002. The U.S. Forest Service revoked former owner John Lau’s permit to run ski lifts on the part of the ski area that sits on federal land. The new owners have yet to have that permit renewed. |
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Bob Reece
Marketing Chair
Cuchara Recreational Cooperative
http://cuchararecreation.org
admin@cuchararecreation.org |
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brad
Admin Staff
Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1843
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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Co-Op Update
http://cucharavalley.com/wordpress/?cat=3
| Quote: | CRC, d/b/a Cuchara Recreational Cooperative
Minutes
May 3, 2008 10:00 a.m.-CSWD Board Room
Present: Listed separately
The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. by Chairperson Steve Perkins.
Steve thanked committee members and Jim Littlefield for their work.
People in attendance introduced themselves.
Progress from the April 4 meeting was highlighted.
There were no changes to the minutes, which were approved as presented.
Steve reported that a meeting will be set up with Paul Crespin from the Forest Service. A packet of information, including a list of committee members, minutes of the April 5th meeting, information and flow chart from Michele Appel, and information regarding the survey, was distributed.
Bill Coppola presented the Mission and Vision statements developed by their committee. A brief concept introduction was also presented.Marshall Moore moved to accepted the Mission and Vision Statements as well as the concept introduction piece as presented. Second by Bruce Cantrell. Motion passed.
Janet Richards reported on the 501(c) Committee. The flow chart developed by Michele Appel was recognized, as well as her recommendation to adopt a Board of Directors at the meeting, and her opinion that the name of the Co-op should not include the word, Recreation, as the Co-op is to involve more than recreation, i.e., education.Education as well as recreation pieces need to be included in the bylaws. Bylaws will be a living document and can be changed.
Bob Reece reported for the Publicity/Marketing Committee. A proposed survey and notes regarding media plans were distributed and discussed.It was suggested that the survey focus on the concept of the Co-op and possible funding levels. Additional information will be useful later. It was recommended that the Board of Directors finalize the survey.
Gerald Van Nort moved to appoint the members of the Steering Committee (Steve Perkins, Bruce Cantrell, Taylor Brown, Dan Glenn, Gerald Van Nort, Bill Coppola, Debbie Lotts, Marshall Moore, Cal Sandbeck, and Jennifer Quarterman), if they accept the position, to serve as the Board of Directors. Second by Bruce Cantrell. A friendly amendment to call them incorporators rather than Board of Directors was made by Mickey Wilson and accepted by Gerald Van Nort. Motion as amended passed. It was understood that this body would be the Board of Directors until a successor Board would be elected.
Marshall Moore moved to name the Co-op CRC, d/b/a/ Cuchara Recreational Cooperative. It was noted that the name can be changed at a later date. Second by Bruce Cantrell. Motion passed. The Publicity/Marketing Committee will look at setting up a website, get contact information on homeowner associations for newsletter input and will establish a media list.
Dan Glenn reported on the parking lot ownership. He has been researching Panadero Property Owners Association ownership of one or more of the parking lots. He will work with the Asset Subcommittee.
Path To Ownership Committee — Marshall Moore reported that he met with Curtis and Lee Bruner, who will cooperate with the Co-op. It was reported that John Bryant and Luther Jones are also in favor of the Co-op. Mr. Bryant has indicated willingness to come to a meeting. Marshall also met with an investment banker and a private investor. He presented a proposal on behalf of the Co-op. He plans to meet with other interested parties. A proven ski area operator needs to be brought in. Acquisition of water rights also will be necessary. Steve Perkins and Marshall Moore met with John Galusha, Huerfano County Administrator. It will be necessary to put together a complete package.
The Asset Subcommittee reported that a list of assets and their condition will be compiled. A tour of the property was conducted.
Next Steps:
Steve Perkins will contact the Incorporators/Board members regarding willingness to serve.
Steve Perkins will contact Paul Crespin regarding a meeting in LaVeta.
The cost of rehabilitating the lifts need to be identified.
A meeting of Incorporators will be set.
The next general meeting will be set for early June on a Saturday.
Bob Reece offered to start a private website with members-only access.
The meeting adjourned at 12: 12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Richards, Acting Secretary |
_________________
-Brad
ColoradoSkiHistory.com |
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