Noticias

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Telski Drops the Ball on Ilium Housing Project

When Telluride Ski and Golf (TSG) purchased 23 deed-restricted lots in Two Rivers in 2017, there was excitement for more affordable housing in the community. Former TSG CEO Bill Jensen led the acquisition. Today, roughly eight years later, 14 lots remain completely vacant.

Along with the purchase, TSG agreed to an exemption agreement with San Miguel County, which included stipulations for full development by 2034. The agreement outlined specific phases for rental and for-sale units. The plan was simple: build for-sale units for TSG employees.

In February, former TSG co-owner Chad Horning outlined the project plan to San Miguel County Commissioners. Commissioner Anne Brown recounted that plan during their April 2 meeting.

“We have an email from Stephanie copying Chad Horning, summarizing a meeting with our team. It states that February was for seeing if TSG employees could get under contract. By March, the offer would extend to other major regional employers, and in April, the general public,” Brown said.

To date, TSG has built nine single-family homes—six designated for sale and three for rent. However, the timeline for selling units to TSG employees has not been met. Furthermore, many of the remaining vacant lots were supposed to be built by July of this year.

TSG employees Sherri Reeder and general counsel Stephanie Solomon joined commissioners on April 2 to provide an update. They shared positive news—the 14 vacant lots are under a letter of intent with the Telluride School District.

“So just to be clear, the letter of intent has been signed by the school district, and you have been authorized by Chuck Horning to sign it on behalf of TSG,” Brown said.

Brown emphasized the importance of moving forward with the existing agreement.

“I am pleased to hear there’s an opportunity for someone to buy the land. I hope that happens. At the same time, I have very little patience for continuing negotiations with Chuck Horning. I cannot abide spending any more staff time on further discussions. I want to continue with the current agreement and expedite the process of disposing of the lots,” Brown said.

Commissioners agreed that they want to see a buyer move forward with the vacant lots as soon as possible. As for the six homes intended for TSG employees, Solomon admitted they had not followed Horning’s stated February deadline.

“Although we have not followed the exact timeline, Sherri and I have spent significant time with interested TSG employees. We have met with many, held an open house, and have seven contracts out as of today. We hope to have several purchase contracts signed in the next week. We are committed to selling all these homes, and Chuck is committed as well,” Solomon said.

Commissioner Lance Waring voiced frustration.

“I hate to sound like a nagging mother, but I feel like I’ve spent a lot of my life chasing late TSG promises. I’m really tired of it. How can we set an arrangement with clear parameters that will be met?” Waring said.

TSG representatives verbally agreed to sell the six units within 30 days or list them through the San Miguel Regional Housing Authority under a deed restriction.

Brown acknowledged the challenges but reiterated the need for action.

“We understand the issues here are not caused by staff, and we sympathize with the conditions under which you are working. Thank you for being here,” Brown said.

In addition to housing, TSG recently backed out of an agreement for the summer Sunset Concert Series in Mountain Village and a lift ticket fee contribution to a new gondola.

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Colorado Declares Nuclear Energy a Clean Resource

Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 1040 earlier this week, designating nuclear energy as a clean energy resource. Bill sponsor Sen. Larry Liston emphasized its benefits in a Senate committee hearing on March 10.

“This ensures Colorado has an ample supply of clean, safe, reliable energy. Over the past year, I’ve heard from many citizens and groups in support of nuclear energy as a clean resource,” Liston said.

Previously, clean energy resources included wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, and hydroelectric power. While Colorado currently has no nuclear energy production, Sen. Dylan Roberts noted its potential.

“We won’t reach 100 percent carbon-free energy with just wind and solar. We need other sources. Defining nuclear as clean energy aligns Colorado with scientific recommendations and gives communities the option to consider investing in nuclear energy,” Roberts said.

Roberts represents much of Northern Colorado, including coal transition communities. Makayla Gordon, executive director of the West End Economic Development Corporation, spoke on the bill’s benefits for West End communities.

“If they move toward nuclear generation, it could be a good opportunity for local mines. The Sunday Mine Complex operates here, and new permits have been issued. Designating nuclear as clean energy could open up funding,” Gordon said.

Roberts believes this designation allows communities to explore nuclear energy as a viable option.

“It enables modern nuclear energy to be considered as a carbon-free energy source—if and when a community wants to explore that possibility,” Roberts said.

West End communities continue exploring uranium mining and transition opportunities following the closure of a coal mine and plant in 2019.

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West End Roundup

Today on the West End Roundup with the San Miguel Basin Forum, KOTO’s Mason Osgood chats with editor Regan Tuttle about:

• Nucla electing a new mayor after Kirk Yerke stepped down amid a recall.
• Community divisions over proposed cell towers in Redvale and Nucla.
• The West End animal shelter rescuing over 10 dogs in one week.

The San Miguel Basin Forum is a locally owned newspaper in Nucla, Colorado. Visit SanMiguelBasinForum.com for biweekly news and events.

Story begins at 8:22

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Mountain Biking Season Kickoff

With temperatures in the mid-60s, West End trails are ready. Join Flying Bear Pizzeria at Naturita Bicycle Company on Thursday, April 10, for West End Bike Stoke Night, featuring games, raffles, education, and pizza. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street, Naturita. All are welcome.

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Mountain Village Secures Forest Restoration Grant

The Town of Mountain Village announced an $825,000 grant from the Colorado State Forest Service for wildfire mitigation. The funding supports a 100-acre fuel break project on the west side of Mountain Village. Since 2024, the town has removed 2,200 trees and 52,000 cubic feet of fuel.

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Inter-Tribal Coalition Forms to Protect Grand Staircase-Escalante

Six tribal representatives announced the formation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Inter-Tribal Coalition to protect the national monument.

Story begins at 15:51

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New Vacancy Committee Rules Proposed

A new bill would require Colorado lawmakers appointed by vacancy committees to stand for election within a year. Colorado Capitol News Alliance’s Chas Sisk reports.

Story begins at 18:18

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Psychedelic Therapy Comes to Colorado

Earlier this year, a new law took effect that opens the door to a different kind of treatment option for Coloradans who struggle with anxiety or depression. Psilocybin, which is a psychoactive compound in psychedelic mushrooms, can now be offered by licensed treatment centers. State officials had projected April as the date centers could begin offering their license services. The Wholeness Center in Fort Collins offers an array of treatments for mental health. Dr. Scott Shannon is the founder of the Center, which has treated thousands of patients with psychedelic therapy following the old laws that existed until this year. For Rocky Mountain Community Radio, K-U-N-C’s Erin O’Toole spoke with Dr. Shannon about  psychedelic therapy.

Story begins at 19:25