by Bob Reece
CUCHARA- With the stroke of a pen, events have been set in motion that will transform the aging and dilapidated Cuchara Mountain Resort into a four seasons recreational venue. It will include a new hotel and conference center, a new restaurant, and a large lake at the base area, along with a mountain coaster, a zip lines course, a tubing hill and other year round recreational programs and outdoor educational opportunities for kids and adults.
And for the first time since the resort was created in the late 1970′s, the property will be completely in the hands of local citizens and a local governing board.
It has been over ten years since the resort was operational. It closed abruptly on July 5, 2000. Since then, the property has sat vacant and buildings have deteriorated from the effects of weather and vandalism.
Last Saturday, a contract was signed to initiate transfer of the property to the newly formed Cuchara Valley Recreational Metropolitan District from interim owner Michael Balloun of Arlington, Texas. Balloun′s acquisition of the property paved the way for this project to move forward. Financial terms were not disclosed. Balloun took back the property from John Bryant, the previous owner, through a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure late last month…
For the rest of the story, pick up this wek′s edition
