by Bob Reece
CUCHARA- Organizers of the Cuchara Mountain Resort Project have released the details of their business plan and additional documents for the public to review. The business plan and other documents can be found at the project′s website at www.cucharavalley.org/ cucharamtnresort.html.
Behind the scenes, officials with the Cuchara Valley Recreational Foundation have been busy meeting with representatives of the US Forest Service, members of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and other organizations to move forward on their plans and lay the groundwork for construction of the project. Manufacturer representatives for the company that will build the zipline have also been in the valley to begin mountain assessments and to get details into place for construction of that phase of the project.
The business plan provides details on the development plan for the Metropolitan District, the goals put forth for creating an economic engine in the Cuchara Valley and how the district will work with various partners on state and county level to bring the project to completion. Included are endorsement letters from the La Veta/Cuchara Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Board of Huerfano Country and the Colorado Office of Economic Development; resumes of principal members of the organization and maps showing the proposed location for the mountain coaster, the 225 acre Metropolitan District boundaries, and an original Cuchara Mountain ski area map.
A major part of the plan details how the recreational facility will be created and operated by the Cuchara Valley Recreational Foundation as a non-profit entity, providing a mechanism for charitable efforts throughout the region. By creating a non-profit structure, the Foundation will be able to create a variety of educational programs for kids and adults at the resort, as well as by working with the school systems to design recreational programs for their students.
The Foundation has also identified the proposed manufacturers of the major attractions to be built at the Resort. Wiegand Sports, LLC, a manufacturer of Alpine Slides and Toboggan Runs will provide the mountain coaster at the Resort. Zip-Rider, based in Park City Utah, is the builder of the zipline system that will be an integral part of the plan. Finally, SnowFlex, a British company and Sunkid, based in France and Austria, will provide the components for the all-season tubing hill at the mountain. All of the manufacturers’ websites can be accessed through the CMR Project website at http://www.cucharavalley.org/cucharamtnresort.html.
A public hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, September 22nd, with the County Commissioners for Huerfano County residents to ask their questions and voice their concerns. The meeting begins at 10 am at the courthouse.
