MDP Progress 2018 "Montrose Strong" by Katharhynn Heidelberg

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Table

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

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OF CONTENTS

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Introduction .................................................................. Pg 4 Economic development..................................................... Pg 8 Business..................................................................... Pg 15 Outdoors/recreation.................................................. Pg 24 Real estate.................................................................. Pg 29

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Credits SPORTS/EDUCATION WRITER Andrew Kiser

EDITORIAL

DESIGN EDITOR Shaun Gibson

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NEWS EDITOR Monica Garcia

ADVERTISING REP. Julie Miller

SENIOR WRITER Katharhynn Heidelberg

ADVERTISING REP. Deanne Sanders

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST Sydney Warner

ADVERTISING REP. Randy Myers

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Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Fasten your seat belts, Montrose — we’re in a growth spurt.

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Community leaders point to burgeoning outdoor and other recreation opportunities; significant communityoriented and economic development projects; and an exploding housing and rental market. They also point to challenges that come right along with the growth, such as attracting and maintaining a skilled labor pool, and addressing the housing crunch for both those workers and residents already here who struggle to find a place to live. “I do think that’s an issue. I do think we need to work with our communities on this workforce training issue to try to continue training our people,” said

Michelle Haynes, executive director of Region 10, during the MDP Media 2018 Community Forecast Breakfast, held Feb. 9 at the Montrose Pavilion. Haynes acknowledged an audience member, who pointed out the county’s low median and per-capita incomes, juxtaposed against high housing and rental costs. The market is exploding, real estate agent John Renfrow said, telling attendees: “Put on your seat belts. It’s going to get pretty dramatic here.” Although the quality of life and recreational opportunities bring people here, Before taking a seat on Feb. 9, Michelle Haynes with Region 10, stops for a hug. She later spoke as part of the Economic Development panel at the MDP Media 2018 real estate agent Debi Harmon also Community Forecast Breakfast. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press) pointed to other draws.

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Montrose Strong

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Montrose Daily Press News Editor Monica Garcia, right, addresses the Business panel during the MDP Media 2018 Community Forecast Breakfast on Feb. 9 at the Montrose Pavilion. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

and nearby Ridgway State Park continue to bring people from far and near into and through Montrose, with their dollars in hand. Hunting alone pumps about $45 million a year into the local economy, according to Joe Lewandowski of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. More than 100,000 people come within a 50-mile radius of Montrose each year to enjoy exceptional game units and other hunting opportunities — and that’s not counting the “tens of thousands” of people who come here to fish. State lottery proceeds administered through Great Outdoors Colorado beef up our offerings. “GOCO is a big player throughout the state and it’s really a great asset,” Lewandowski said. GOCO has given Montrose a boost when it comes to trails, parks and other recreational infrastructure — including help with two of the newest jewels in the crown: the Montrose Water Sports Park and the recreation center. Montrose also nabbed $2 million in funding last year to connect trails in the Cerise Park complex northward to the Colorado Outdoors Project Mayfly is building on blighted land near the Uncompahgre River, and south,

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Retirees coming to Montrose may well be more interested in the availability of quality medical care and specialists, said Harmon, who also noted Montrose Memorial Hospital, as a major employer, is also a big economic driver. More than once, she said, a client has mentioned the book “Strategic Relocation,” which lists Montrose because of its relatively temperate climate and general way of life. The flip side, though, is that sometimes, new arrivals bring with them their big-city expectations, Harmon indicated. For a deeper-dive look at real estate, see “Low vacancy, booming market” by Senior Writer Katharhynn Heidelberg on page 29 of this special edition. Dramatic change since the 2008 downturn began hammering Montrose is also readily apparent on other fronts. New infrastructure and projects such as the Community Recreation Center, a trail-connection project, the Montrose Water Sports Park, the Rimrocker Trail for off-road vehicles, the Montrose County Event Center, and the Colorado Outdoors Project are seen as significant pulls to the area. Existing natural assets such as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Montrose Strong

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Progress Laughing at a joke from the speaker, panelist and Montrose Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Sandy Head discusses economic development in Montrose during the MDP Media 2018 Community Forecast Breakfast on Feb. 9 at the Montrose Pavilion. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

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to the recreation center. The grant will, among other work, help fund the building of underpasses beneath the West Main bridge and U.S. 550/ South Townsend Avenue. “Montrose is being mentioned around the state more and more,” Montrose Recreation District Executive Director Ken Sherbenou said. “We really are a community on the rise … One of the ways we are is our support of GOCO

and how important GOCO and those lottery proceeds have been to our community.” Sherbenou also hailed legislative efforts to renew GOCO’s lottery funding mechanism; efforts Sen. Don Coram and Rep. Marc Catlin support. “Montrose really is a leader statewide and it’s becoming more and more recognized,” Sherbenou said. A detailed examination

of our recreation and the economy it feeds can also be found in this section. See “Promised Land” by Sports/Education Writer Andrew Kiser on Page 24. The economy as a whole is picking up, breakfast panelists said. Mayfly Outdoors is investing big-time, by building the Colorado Outdoors Project — a business park geared toward outdoor recreation companies, plus a housing component. Construction is underway. Montrose County is well on the way to completing a massive new indoor arena and event center at the fairgrounds. It is initially projected to operate at a loss, but because it is a facility that is not duplicated on the Western Slope, it is seen as a strong attraction for major events. Other measures of health can be seen in something as simple as how many new people are signing up for utilities. Delta-Montrose Electric Association’s member services manager Virginia Harman said new service applications have increased for both commercial and residential properties. And Region 10 has in the past two years doubled its revolving loan fund, Haynes said, also giving nod to the new rec center, and voters’ willingness to fund new construction at Columbine Middle School.

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and how the efforts of the City of Montrose and other entities factor in by reading “Full Steam Ahead” by News Editor Monica Garcia on Page 15. Growth-management and collaboration are critical to sustaining success. Mortgage lender Lynn Whipple said the time to act on growth management is now, not later. She suggested an emphasis on infill/density housing, even incentivizing developers to set aside some of their projects for affordable housing. “We’ve got to be on the forefront. We’ve got to be looking ahead to manage positive growth,” Whipple said. The community as a whole has poured millions into infrastructure that will bear healthy fruit — one day, Renfrow said. “Everyone wants it to happen today. That takes months, years of planning,” he said, but added such efforts are changing the community. “It makes it very positive. We need to continue that trend going forward with our elected officials. If we don’t keep some kind of cap on it, it’s going to get out of control.” Montrose County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Sandy Head pointed to the collaboration that, in the span of just a few months, brought together five different taxing entities to establish tax incre-

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“All that, I think, really lends a lot of excitement to the community. Businesses are seeing that. And they’re seeing the opportunity to move forward,” said Haynes. TEI Rock Drills is one such business. Even though much of its sales are realized through the international market, those sales spur growth and with it, the ability to hire more people locally. “We’re poised for substantial growth,” said the company’s president, Sue Frank. Business in Montrose is more interconnected than people might think, economist Nathan Perry, Ph.D., indicated. Perry, who works with Colorado Mesa University, discussed supply-chain analyses. “You see how industries in Montrose are connected to each other; who has spillover effects. What industries rely on the workforce and expertise of other industries, and how do those industries combine in the supply chain, and what in that supply chain is in the local area,” he said. “That helps us to figure out what businesses to recruit; that figures out what types of workers need to be trained.” You can read more about our economic indicators and growth, by checkinng out “Come Together” by Managing Editor Matt Lindberg on page 8. Also, take a peep at the business picture

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018 7 Montrose Strong ment funding for MayBecause you deserve BETTER fly’s Colorado Outdoors Project. A Wealth of Skill Knowledge Experience “I think that is a loud and Professionalism At Your Service statement on what this community can do in collaborating, coming together,” Head said. “ … We have a lot going on and it demonstrates collaboration. People want to be in a positive community and that is what we’re moving forward in Montrose.” Plus, Montrose is competitive, Head said. Although Montrose collaborates with other Western Slope communities, it also competes with Delta and Grand Junction. 1544 Oxbow Dr, Suite 101 • Montrose Grand Junction is 970.240.5474 working on its own BetterRealEstateServices.com river-development park, laying out a lot of cash to capitalize on a 15-acre area, Head said, drawing a contrast between that and the 160 acres for the Colorado Outdoors Project here. Delta is also working to enhance its riverine areas. “Those things are all good. We have a lot of rivers on the Western Slope, so let’s promote them. But Montrose right now is on the leading edge,” Head said. “We need to keep lection of pushing that positive vibe e carr y a large se and women’s W ry to make sure if somebody brand new jewel of the proceeds 0% wants to come to the 10 accessories. Ministries Food g in ar Western Slope in outdoor Sh ts efi en b art of your recreation manufacturing, Bank. The best p nce is knowing (970) 615-7484 or anything, that they shopping experie ase will benefit ay! h rc u p r u yo at think of Montrose first, th 443 E. Main • Montrose, CO our communit hungr y family in because we’re where it’s Tue. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. happening.”

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Montrose Strong

Come together

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION FUELING WIDESPREAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS

Montrose Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Sandy Head on Jan. 10 goes over her notes while in her office. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

By Matt Lindberg John Hickenlooper first became familiar with Montrose in 2011 shortly after being elected Colorado’s governor and appointing Montrose native Mike King to his cabinet. “He introduced me to Montrose, but I’m not sure he knew how rapidly it could change,” Hickenlooper recalled,

noting he had come to town to participate in an economic development roundtable discussion at the time. But even seven years ago the governor had an inkling of Montrose’s potential. “That bone structure was there to have a really strong local economy,” Hickenlooper said. Montrose weathered the figurative

storm of the lengthy 2008 recession and appears to be emerging stronger. Well over $50 million has been poured into creating new and enhancing existing infrastructure in the last several years, not including what’s in the works. But more importantly, community leaders and activists’ commitment to view economic development in broader terms — with a sense of responsibility to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors — has powered innovative ideas that put Montrose on the short list of bustling cities on the rise. So much so, that it has caught the attention of numerous state leaders as evidenced by their visits to town in 2017 and the fact that the governor mentioned the community in his State of the State address the last two years. “Well, I’m always on the lookout for communities where there is unity in approaching economic development. Where they are saying, ‘we’re not where we want to be, so let’s create a plan and let’s get there,’” the governor said in response to why he chose to mention Montrose. Take a look around town, and there’s no denying the synergy that exists. In the last several years voters approved the construction and saw the opening of the multi-million dollar Montrose Community Recreation Center on the south end; the development of a water sports park and millions of dollars in grant funding that has been secured through local partnerships to enhance the vibrancy of the city. More recently, a new and much-needed middle school is under construction, while private and public partnerships are the foundation of a complete revamp of the north end of town. “I think that having our local governments, both city and county, willing to take risk — saying, ‘OK, we’re going

Gov. John Hickenlooper to be ready when the growth happens’ (helps) — people want to be in a community that has positive energy, and I think we’ve accomplished that in the last several years,” said Montrose Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Sandy Head. “This community knows we have to plan for the growth because you can’t miss those opportunities by not having your plans laid out. I think everybody understands we want to take the high road. “What makes us special is the quality of the people who live here and the leadership.” Collaboration is undoubtedly the key to the community’s success story, according to Montrose County Media Relations Manager Katie Yergensen. “I think it’s truly an exciting time to be in Montrose because you’re seeing strong leadership across the board … It’s a combination of public and private partnerships,” Yergensen said. “We have so many wonderful things to attract people to Montrose, and it’s really neat and inspiring to see all of our leaders coming together to more or

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Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

less enhance the quality of life for our residents and bring people and outside dollars to our area.”

taxing districts whose boundaries cover the 158-plus acres, an urban renewal authority (URA), to finance public infrastructure and improvements via A river runs through it a tax increment finance district was formed. Economic development took on a Mayfly broke ground on its state-ofnew life locally just a few years ago the-art facility in fall 2017; phase one when the parent company of Montrose- of the overall project is already well based Ross Reels, Mayfly Outdoors, underway. The construction will help considered creating a headquarters in Montrose in more than just developing another city. the land. But MEDC, the City of Montrose, “We are proud to say that a local Montrose County and the State of business was awarded the contract in Colorado stepped in and worked with Ridgway Valley Enterprises (RVE). The the owners to keep Ross Reels in town initial bid was for $6.75 million and and move its Abel Reels headquarters officially began on Jan. 8, 2018. RVE from Southern California to right here. has a great team and has the advantage Within months, the City of Monof being headquartered a few minutes trose declared about 160 acres along from the property,” Mayfly President the Uncompahgre River, from about David Dragoo said. North Ninth Street to Launa Drive, as “To date, RVE has completed subblighted, in accordance with the statustantial clearing of the site, constructed tory requirements of the Urban Reapproximately 1,000 linear feet of newal Act for the Colorado Outdoors Chipeta waterline improvements, Using a CMM machine to check that everything is perfect, Crocket Sessions Project. And with nine other entities, started a major sanitary sewer trunk works with various tools at Ross Reels to make sure what they are constructing is including Montrose County and special line, began building a new water vault what they are supposed to be making. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

Description: Working with the Colorado Division of Housing, CASA of the 7th Judicial District will break ground on an 8 unit, micro-home community that will provide affordable housing for young adults emancipating from foster care and transitioning to independence. Young adults will receive life skills training and supportive services to address health, employment, and educational needs through partnerships with PIC, Center for Mental Health, the Work Force Center, and the Montrose Housing Authority.

• • • • • •

Western Colorado Community Foundation Montrose Community Foundation Temple Hoyne Buell Colorado Health Foundation Colburn Family Francis Family

• • • • • •

Hill Family Judkins Family Mize family Pringle Family Governments Colorado Department of Housing City of Montrose

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Foundations / Major Donors (as of Feb. 15, 2018)

Project Partners: • Montrose Housing Authority • Center for Mental Health • PIC Place • Colorado Workforce Center

10 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

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“The vision they had — that part of the town was economically dormant along the Uncompahgre River. The Uncompahgre is famous but yet here was a piece of land nobody was really utilizing or paying attention to ... I think that vision to have clusters, outdoor recreation companies, in smaller communities, if it works in Montrose, I think it is something that could be copied across the state and exported to other states.”

With everything done by hand, Ross Reels sends the Abels to California to be anodized, a process that puts a hard surface John Hickenlooper and coloring on the metal. They then get sent back with designs that represent fish, impressionistic ideas and all kinds of colors. Colorado governor (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

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near Highway 550, and procured all waterline piping, storm drain piping and major manholes. The schedule for completion is for the fall 2018.” URA members are actively recruiting businesses to join the park, as well as continuing negotiations with officials about the creation of a Marriott TownePlace Suites on the site. When finished, it would be the first major hotel built in Montrose since the mid-2000s. The C.O.P.’s goal is to have an enhanced river corridor with Gold Medal Trout waters, a mixture of family-style restaurants, outdoor retail and manufacturing, as well as residential units. “It’s a multi-faceted project. It could really help our tourism economy by adding another hotel,” said City Manager Bill Bell, who is also executive director of the Montrose URA. “If it goes as planned, it should help us truly become the hub for outdoor recreation. I think it’s definitely going to change the whole face of the north side of town as you come in.” That goal will be further enhanced thanks to collaboration between the city

and Montrose Recreation District. The two entities, with support from Mayfly, applied for and in 2017 were granted a $2 million Great Outdoors Colorado Grant that will support the construction of a total of 2.25 miles of new trails, with underpasses, on both ends of town to connect with parks and recreational opportunities. Essentially, people will be able to bike or walk from near the Justice Center on the north end of town to the Community Recreation Center on the south side, without the fear of crossing congested South Townsend Avenue or Main Street. Head emphasized Mayfly is an example of what often is the most overlooked aspect of economic development: retention. Montrose and state leaders worked long and hard to keep Mayfly here, and the benefit proved to be wise because the company’s impact has stretched beyond its facility, as the shovel-ready land is an invaluable resource, she said. “Montrose has a great community feel, and one of the reasons we stayed is the region’s most compelling attribute: the proximity to awesome outdoor

Montrose Strong

Montrose County Media Relations Manager Katie Yergensen, left, County Manager Ken Norris, Fairgrounds and Event Center Director Emily Sanchez and Board of County Commissioners Chairman Keith Caddy discuss the event center’s potential during a tour of the facility in mid-January. (Matt Lindberg/Montrose Daily Press)

activities. Other areas of Colorado may claim it, but Montrose is the outdoor capital of the state,” Dragoo said. “Montrose’s commitment to new infrastructure and economic development (fiber optic, improved roads, new walking trails, and river conservation) was also one of the major reasons we stayed. Simply put, we believe in the community’s progressive economic development and infrastructure goals.” Hickenlooper praised Mayfly and the Colorado Outdoors Project, which he cited in his final State of the State in January. “The vision they had — that part of the town was economically dormant along the Uncompahgre River. The Uncompahgre is famous but yet here was a piece of land nobody was really utilizing or paying attention to,” Hickenlooper said. “Once the three phases are completed … I think that vision to have

clusters, outdoor recreation companies, in smaller communities, if it works in Montrose, I think it is something that could be copied across the state and exported to other states.”

Event Center on the rise Not too far east of the Colorado Outdoors Project lays the muchanticipated Montrose County Event Center. The previous Montrose Board of County Commissioners controversially approved construction on the 93,000-square-foot exquisite facility in late 2016, to the dismay of several residents, including Keith Caddy. “I would have liked to have seen people vote on it; this was a large expenditure,” said Caddy, who was elected to and joined the board as chairman in January 2017. “I think it would have passed, but the residents of Montrose

County didn’t have the opportunity to vote on that, and that really bothers me.” Despite those initial feelings, Caddy is a believer in the facility. He said he commissioned Yergensen, Fairgrounds and Event Center Director Emily Sanchez and Government Affairs Director Jon Waschbusch to develop a comprehensive business plan for the site upon joining the BOCC. On a January afternoon, Caddy, Sanchez, Yergensen and County Manager Ken Norris, hard hats and all, gave a tour of the center, offering insight and sharing their plans for it before the summer 2018 grand opening. “It’s probably one of the biggest facilities on the Western Slope,” Caddy said upon entering it. “If not the biggest.” County leaders envision it as a multipurpose building, with the ability to host all kinds of activities. Sanchez said

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

there are already eight to 10 events planned in year one, and discussions are ongoing with the school district about hosting Montrose High School’s graduation ceremony, sporting events and more. Concerts have been routinely discussed as a form of entertainment at the venue, which can fit roughly 6,000, giving the county a realistic expectation for talent. Don’t expect to find Top 40 acts like Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars, but you can bet on quality. “I don’t anticipate getting the top names; we have to be fiscally responsible,” Sanchez said, adding the county will rely heavily on a promoter to attract talent. “But I think we can get some really cool names in here.” Caddy suggested there’s potential to land up-and-coming musicians early on in their careers as they travel along I-70 and are willing to stop on short notice for a performance. “We’re getting calls from those in the concert industry,” Sanchez said, adding promoters have talked about the venue

12 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018 having $20 general admission seating and then a more expensive VIP package for most shows. The dirt inside the facility has been a point of contention for the center’s detractors, but Sanchez stressed it shouldn’t be. “That dirt is awesome,” Sanchez said. “You can actually pack it together so hard you could wear high heels on it. We’ve done it, they do it in Denver, they do it in a lot of facilities.” Caddy actually gets more excited when he thinks about the event center’s potential beyond what was previously envisioned. Equipped with a complete commercial kitchen (the kitchen won’t be ready until after the facility’s grand opening) and several other rooms, the county is hoping the facility can secure a designation as an emergency shelter in the event of a catastrophe, Caddy noted. And through the creation of the business plan, officials learned having stalls on hand for animals could really increase the facility’s profitability, he added. “We found the biggest money-maker for the event center is the horse stalls for people coming in for equestrian events, like roping,” Caddy said of the animal stables on site. “Animals are a big investment for them, so we want to protect their investment.” Montrose County leaders aren’t thinking the facility is “pie-in-the-sky;” they know there will be work. One of the biggest barriers for the event center is having enough hotels to attract events and having enough big events to bring those hotels, Sanchez said. Norris said he thinks it will take two-three years before officials see the fruits of their labor, but he’s confident it will get better through word of mouth. Sanchez agreed. “Bringing outside dollars to Montrose and creating that positive economic impact for the community,” she said of officials’ goal for the center, adding the county is also engaged in a dialogue with the city about using it. “That’s ultimately what we’re working toward: filling this every weekend.” On a grander scale, Caddy said the center goes hand-in-hand with

Montrose Strong

The floor plan of the Montrose County Event Center. (Submitted photo/ Montrose County)

the nearby Colorado Outdoors Project in terms of giving new life to the north end of town and supporting the economy. “There’s a little truth to when they say, ‘if you build it, they will come.’ If we build it, manage it right and have some great events, people will want to come here and use this facility,” he said. “I believe it can bring people to spend their money in the Montrose area. It’s not only going to help the county. It’s going to help the businesses in the area. People will be spending money in town, in the businesses, in the restaurants. It might help with building on this end of town.”

Building a backbone The two massive projects on the north end of town are promising, but

really just the tip of the iceberg in Montrose’s revitalization efforts. Region 10 is implementing a phased broadband project through six counties, including Montrose. As of November 2017, the project had been extended into the city, as well as Gunnison and Delta. Ridgway, Ouray and Crested Butte also were in the works. The project is funded in part by millions in grant awards, including the Colorado Department of Local Affairs; in-kind and other support from local governmental entities, including the city and county of Montrose, as well the support of Delta-Montrose Electric Association, which provided six nontransferable fibers to Region 10. Its executive director, Michelle Haynes, said she took it upon herself to talk with elected officials when she took her job several years back and knew

broadband had to be an area of focus. “It keeps us from getting crossed off the list. Employers expect it, so if you don’t have it, you get crossed off,” Haynes explained. “People are looking for a work-life balance; having the availability of these services enables that: rural lifestyle and the ability to do their work. And having the level of service we are going to have available at the pricing available it’s going to be at is going to help us stand out, particularly in rural communities.” Virgil Turner, the city’s director of innovation and citizen engagement, said broadband has become an essential service people depend on for health care, education, entertainment and business. He said back in 2012 the Montrose City Council had heard from businesses and residents about the limited availability of broadband and the challenges this caused for them. Some businesses even said they were considering moving operations out of Montrose to areas with adequate broadband coverage. “The health of our economy is dependent on the economic health of our region,” he said. “For this reason, we continue to work with those in the region and around the state who share our goals to ensure we have a bright and connected future.” Fiber continues to be deployed all over the community and the goal is to pass by every premise, Turner said, adding it’s up to the property owner to connect at that point. “Until every home is connected there is going to be opportunity for improvement,” Haynes said. A commitment to extraordinarily high-speed broadband has provided the tentacles for other major investment projects in the community, according to Head. “Broadband, that was huge. If you can’t keep your iPhone and gadgets running, you don’t want to live here,” she said. “All the things happening within the community are items that will encourage young people to be here. We have a large number of companies in Montrose that do business globally. Without a strong fiber network, they

Montrose Strong cannot do business here. It is an invaluable tool in our toolbox for attracting and retaining business.” The governor is also a big believer in it. “For Colorado, broadband is the basic currency of the future economy,” Hickenlooper said. “Whether you’re in a big city or a small town, you’ve got to have high-speed access to broadband to be competitive in the modern economy. Whether a big business or a small business, you have to be connected to the rest of world. The internet allows you to expand your local, regional market into a truly international one.”

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

“I think economic development is much broader than what most people talk about when they mention economic development,” Bell said. “Tourism development helps to diversify our economy and moving forward on community infrastructure projects such as Columbine Middle School, the Community Recreation Center and Major Street Improvements, will put us in a great position as we move forward into the future.” The city manager stressed the key has been collaboration — something Bell sees as having been non-existent when he came onboard roughly seven years ago. Other investments “Seven-10 years ago, we weren’t collaborating back then, and now we are. Montrose has projects underway in So that’s been the biggest difference,” all areas of the city, such as the ongohe explained. “The reason? The people ing construction of a new Columbine involved … there are different players Middle School. According to Montrose involved.” County School District Superintendent He later said that collaboration was Stephen Schiell, the new Columbine also necessary to earn millions of dolwill come in with a gross area of 83,438 lars in grant money. Grant applications square feet — roughly 20,000 feet bigwere actually getting rejected and area ger than the current building. The new leaders were being told they needed to school will open on time in late August collaborate to get funding, he recalled. with all of the other schools in the “That really did help,” Bell said. “Now district, he said. we’re the envy of many cities around “It replaces an old building that is the state ... several of us serve on stateAfter months of work, bleachers for future spectators are installed in the event falling apart and outlived its usefulwide boards and committees and it is center on a January afternoon. The inside of the center is massive. ness,” he said, noting the building always awesome to hear people from (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press) will show tangible support for STEM all over Colorado asking us how we are (Science, Technology, Engineering and able to achieve such success ... ‘What percent growth in 2013, followed by Math) learning. “It definitely gives you other activities going on there, it was is our secret sauce?’ ‘What makes us just a space that was underutilized. 7.15 percent in 2014, and 13.38 percent competitive for grant funding and gives the feel of being in a STEM middle school promoting STEM learning. This “So we thought we could take that and in 2015, according to the county. us that edge over many other cities and revitalize it,” Elder said, adding they The city has been diligently working will give our kids a better educational towns? How do we keep our compartnered with the city to help with on projects that may seem smaller in experience.” munity moving forward?’ Our answer scale, but make a big difference. OfThen there’s the Town Centre project, land improvements. “We cleaned it up is always: patience, perseverance and and revitalized it with the buildings and ficials are currently working to improve wonderful people.” a shopping center that opened in 2017 businesses. All three of them are doing and replace signage throughout town, at the intersection of South Townsend Mesa County Administrator Frank tremendously good.” while actively collaborating with the Avenue and South Fifth Street created Whidden said Montrose is on Grand The county is in the midst of conRotary Club of Montrose on plans for through a partnership between busiJunction’s radar. struction on a new road and bridge an amphitheater in Cerise Park. nessmen Jim Elder and David Coker. “We certainly at times are even enviThose efforts come less than a year It already features a Jimmy John’s, Cold facility, while its regional airport ous of what they’ve accomplished,” continues to thrive by offering flights after the construction and opening of a Whidden said. “I realize we have some Stone Creamery and another Coffee dog park in that same area and not long advantages, like proximity to I-70, but Trader location and is awaiting a fourth throughout the year. The Montrose Regional Airport in February was listed after the creation of the nearby Water business’ arrival. they’ve done well trying to position as the top growing airport for ComSports Park. The Montrose Chamber of themselves with resorts and the airport, “We looked at various locations in mercial Airline Passenger Activity in Commerce sold off its old office build- and things like that are good moves.” town, but that location’s proximity the Colorado Department of Transpor- ing and relocated into the co-working to the high school, to the downtown Mayor Pro Tem Roy Anderson said tation’s Division of Aeronautics Annual Proximity Space as it works to promote broadband and increased flights at the business district, library, hospital, all Report. Specifically, MTJ marked 12.33 all areas of town. the city and county buildings, all the airport are two of the biggest assets the

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Montrose Strong

Columbine Middle School Principal Ben Stephenson, left, and Montrose County School District Superintendent Stephen Schiell discuss the new Columbine facility and what it will have to offer the community during a tour on Oct. 10, 2017. Construction is progressing nicely, the superintendent recently said. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

community has going for it at the moment, noting those factors can appeal to a broader group of people. “I think a number of things are falling into place that will attract not only younger people who can make a living here in the future and bring children, but also older folks like myself, so I believe it’s going really good,” he said. “Certainly some things have progressed slower here than on the Front Range just because we are a smaller economy, but a number of things have come together over time that has really kind of started getting the engine moving.”

Chamber Executive Director Chelsea Rosty, also the city’s director of business innovation, comes from a big-city background and said she sees the tide turning locally. “My little slogan right now is that ‘It’s a great time to be in Montrose.’ It’s exciting; you can’t help but get energized by the fact all of these things that are happening,” Rosty said. “People wonder how we’re going to be able to sustain these things, like a new event center and an amphitheater, but I’m optimistic because I see the vision of where these things will take us.

“I see these assets bringing people to our community who ordinarily would overlook Montrose as a place to live. You never know what could become of that. Private and public investment is happening left and right in Montrose, and it’s really amazing to see.” Schiell had a similar perspective on Montrose’s growth. “Our community is excited and ready to be progressive. The environment we live in, the mountains, canyons, rivers, trails, people throughout the world are looking for beautiful places to raise their families,” he said. “I think they’re

realizing Montrose is a diamond in the rough. People want things to happen here and they are.” Montrose’s growth in recent years isn’t surprising to the governor, who mentioned similar transformations in Buena Vista and Salida. “Each of these small towns is recreating what Denver did back from around 2000 to 2010 — really investing in the quality of life for your citizens and marketing that to businesses that may want to relocate or expand,” the governor said. “That’s really what Montrose is doing, just at a very intense level.” The efforts locally are encouraging, he said. “Montrose should be very proud,” Hickenlooper said. “You guys have done a great job.”

Montrose Strong

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Full steam ahead

BUSINESS IN MONTROSE BIG OPPORTUNITY One such employee is Engineering Manager Luke Zamoyski, who moved to Montrose from New York to train under TEI founder and Frank’s father, Bill Patterson, as part of an internship. Internships allow room to train properly and helps balance the demographics in the area, Frank said. If you want to see a community continue to grow, you need to have a younger generation, she said, adding she believes younger people will be the ones to drive new growth and improvement. “It seems to me in the last few years there have been more younger people moving into the community, which I think is a really positive thing because again you need a balance,” Frank said. “You can’t be all retired people. You need that balance and I think it makes for just a healthier atmosphere and healthier community altogether.”

By Monica Garcia When TEI Rock Drills relocated to Montrose in 1988, the town essentially ended around East Oak Grove Road and Townsend Avenue, said Sue Frank, the company’s president. While most of the businesses then were agriculturally based, she said, many new businesses like JCPenney and Home Depot have since opened. “Those bigger stores moving in obviously means the community has grown because they feel like we have the numbers to support being here,” Frank said. “Bringing more businesses in brings more people, which allow (things like) the rec center. We couldn’t have supported that when we moved here 30 years ago.” Frank said as the city grows some of the agriculture may vanish. That’s something she would not like to see, saying there’s a fine line between old business and growth. With Montrose growing at a steady pace, a balanced business community is key, said Frank. To create balance, the company, which manufactures drilling equipment such as drilling attachments and drifters, offers an internship program. TEI has worked on projects such as the Crazy Horse Memorial, AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) and Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. Although it does not have many local customers, its equipment is sold around the world, including in Sierra Leone, New Zealand and Australia. The U.S. and Canada are the main markets, Frank said. Montrose has been a good fit for the company. Having access to shipping options, as well as room to grow, has led to the company’s success. Currently employing about 43 people (as well as 20 outside sales people and distributors),

In with the new

Making sure it is nice and clean, TEI Rock Drills employee Kenneth Wood cleans the dirt off of the metal so that when it is hammered it doesn’t get any dents inside. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

the company uses coloradoworkforce.com to advertise its jobs. The company has a skill set it looks for and some employees have moved from out of state to fill positions. For a couple of TEI employees, the draw of the outdoor scene and the job opportunity brought them from the East Coast to the Western Slope.

Creating that balance is important when bringing and maintaining businesses in Montrose as well. Chelsea Rosty, executive director of the Montrose Chamber of Commerce and the city’s director of business innovation, said the focus right now is diversifying the economy to safeguard the community in case there is another downturn. Rosty explained Montrose is not reliant on just one industry. The city houses businesses in the agricultural, tourism and service fields, among others. “The things that we’ve identified as making Montrose just absolutely the place to be, in our opinion, is that Colorado right now as a whole is hot and people love to live in Colorado because of the lifestyle (and) because

16 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Montrose Strong

information about what Montrose is all about, including population, traffic and tourism information. ed the reasoning for this is there The city also offers incentives isn’t a large tech company in town, primarily for small and retail and this type of business would businesses. Incentives vary from provide sustainable jobs. Outbusiness to business. Ross Reels, door manufacturing companies which employs about 40-50 people, are another sought-after industry because they fit well with the area. is growing and has a job-creating incentive package it’s planning to When companies are looking implement, she said. to locate in Montrose, the City of Other incentives could include a Montrose becomes an adviser to them, Rosty said. Officials provide partnership with the city on sewer

Taking a behind the scenes look at TEI Rock Drills shows how its products are made in Montrose and then shipped worldwide. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

of the beauty that it has to offer. But it’s becoming overpopulated in eastern Colorado,” Rosty said. “So what we have to offer is all of those same amenities; we have the lifestyle, we have the beauty, we have everything you need here in Montrose to live. So we think that really sets us apart.” Many businesses already in Montrose were formed out of necessity,

but again there is a lot of diversity, she explained. Rosty gives credit to Montrose City Manager Bill Bell for the city’s shift in its business mindset. Businesses that are looking to call Montrose home have either reached out to the city or have been recruited, Rosty said. An industry that would benefit Montrose is technology. Rosty not-

Montrose Strong

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Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

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18 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Montrose Strong

Montrose – A Great Place to Visit, a Better Place to Grow! MANUFACTURING • AGRICULTURE • TECHNOLOGY

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Montrose Strong tap fees or on external infrastructure. Rosty said these would be features another business could use if the original company decided to leave Montrose. Along with incentives, the city can also help with funding, as it has a loan fund, administered by Region 10. “I would recommend just going and meeting and connecting with as many people as possible because this is a town that works on word of mouth and it’s just really important,” Rosty said.

A helping hand The business community has grown substantially over the last few years, Region 10 Executive Director Michelle Haynes said; so much so that its loan fund has almost doubled in the last two years. She noted people are now looking to start new businesses or expand existing ones. Additions to the community, such as the Montrose Community Recreation Center and the construction on Columbine Middle School, are contributing factors that show the community is moving forward, a place where businesses like to be, Haynes said. According to data monitored by Dan Scinto, director of the business loan fund for Region 10, over the past two years, there was twice the number of jobs retained and jobs created, which indicates a growing economy. There are two primary ways Region 10 serves the small business community: through development and loan assistance. Although some work has been done with start-up businesses, the focus is on ones that have already started and have a solid business plan.

Leading one of the classes offered at Region 10, Helen Roe presents a bookkeeping bootcamp, where she discusses entity selection, business registration and licenses, as well as insurance and other matters on Feb. 6. (Sydney Warner/ Montrose Daily Press)

Nancy Murphy, the small businesses development director for Region 10, does one-on-one business counseling or the owner(s) take classes. There were 48 differ-

ent workshops last year and fewer than 400 people attended those, Murphy said. Classes include bookkeeping bootcamp, market plan in a day,

19 10-week business planning series and cash flow breakthrough. “We tend to help people in the functional areas of their business that they have never had to deal with before,” Murphy said. “So what we see is the majority of people who come to us are really good at that thing that they do; say for example, they are great lawyers but they don’t know how to get a customer in; they’ve never had to keep books, that type of stuff.” The whole goal is to make the business profitable. Without that profitability, the business does not exist, Murphy said. Murphy works hand-in-hand with Scinto. When Scinto speaks with the business owners, he said he is able to see the holes in their plans and may direct them to Murphy. It also works vice versa where a business owner may start in classes but will eventually need financing and contact Scinto. Region 10 loans out of several different funds, Haynes said. There’s a micro-lending program, as well as others, that can lend all the way up to six figures, she added. Region 10 also offers partnerships with banks. For example, if the bank is asking for a certain percentage down but the owners do not have the full amount, Region 10 might be able to fill the gap. The relationship between the bank and the business is often strained due to regulations. Although it may seem similar to a bank, the loan fund policies at Region 10 are more flexible on terms. “Our program is actually designed to take on more risk, and to help these businesses make sure that they can get access to the funds they need,” Haynes said. “It Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

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Montrose Strong

(Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

still needs to have a solid business plan because one of the things we don’t want to do is loan a business money and see them fail. Now they have additional debt and might not be able to start another business ... Entrepreneurs tend to start several.” Scinto added once the financing has been provided, the relationship with Region 10 doesn’t end. Region 10 will also provide additional ongoing technical assistance for that business, which includes the classes. Scinto will also visit and call throughout the term of a loan to make sure the business is getting everything it needs. Partnerships with other entities, such as Montrose Economic Development Corporation, the City of Montrose and Montrose County are important because they each have a role to play, Haynes said. It’s about making sure they work together for the success of each business. “We all have different things that we can bring to a table and when a business sees that a community

is business-friendly and they have those resources available, then they are more willing to stay in our community and work with us,” Haynes said. “So I think that’s what contributes to the success.” In addition to Region 10, local business owner Scott Stryker has found helpful support from existing local business owners and managers. Stryker, the president of Stryker & Company Inc., said the community has a positive business climate. A Montrose native, Stryker studied marketing at the Colorado State University. After earning his degree, he returned to Montrose and became president of a local construction company. His father also had a construction company and when the time came to open his own business, construction was a natural fit for him, combining his love of construction and his business degree, Stryker said. In 2015, he broke out on his own and started Stryker & Company Inc. “Business mentors that I look to

What are the challenges of the business community?

Although the business community in Montrose is thriving, there are a few challenges. A common one is finding the right people for particular jobs. For TEI Rock Drills, the struggle is about finding the right people who fit into the company’s corporate culture, the company’s president, Sue Frank, said. Currently, TEI hires through an internship program. “TEI is willing to train. We have an excellent benefits package, and we start well above minimum wage, yet it is still difficult to sometimes find that person with the skill set and work ethic we are looking for,” she said. Region 10 Executive Director Michelle Haynes also voiced concern about having an available, trained workforce. She noted that “having workforce training (like CMU and the technical college) is important.” Although the community has been investing in itself — with assets like the Montrose Community Recreation Center, the installation of broadband, the airport and new Columbine Middle School — Scott Stryker, president of Stryker & Company Inc., said Montrose needs to continue to strengthen educational and work opportunities for the area’s graduating youth. “College educations have a definite place in higher education, but there is a need for young adults to be trained in the trades and in fields of technology that could be used in specific local businesses,” he said. “How could we as a community enhance our already on-going internship programs at our high schools? We need to make it possible for our youth to come back and work and invest in Montrose. It’s truly a community effort; we’re making progress, but we can always do a little better.”

Montrose Strong are open to answering questions and people are helpful,” Stryker said. It’s a positive mentor-type environment, a benefit of living in a small town, he added. “If you have a question, you can find someone in the community that could help you answer that question, as long as you are willing to reach out, they are willing to help,” Stryker said.

Looking for help?

Collaborating for success Creating solid relationships and working together is what is helping to drive business, including those downtown. Although many people are busy, connecting points are one aspect of bringing a community together. Downtown Development Authority Manager Sonia Dumas said the establishments along Main Street, including more than 200 businesses and over 300 properties, allow visitors to reconnect with things they enjoy, like community, friends and family. But it’s hard to do this if there is nothing available. In response, DDA has started its collaborative event series. The DDA promotions committee is looking at what can be created that’s different, Dumas said. For its latest event, DDA did a twist on the classic dinner and a movie. Bringing together the Fox Theater, the restaurants downtown and live entertainment, Dumas said they have created Dinner+Magic+Movie. It’s about connecting people with things they already enjoy and encouraging retailers, Dumas added. So far the community has been supportive of the collaboration events, Dumas said. Those who are collaborating are very supportive

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Enjoying the local businesses that line Main Street is part of living in Montrose. There are lots of clothing and shoe stores, as well as breweries, restaurants, outdoor gear and crafty shops. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

and helping guide the DDA to the right resources and asking what they can do to make things happen. When it comes to Main Street,

people request more restaurants, but Dumas said what is really needed is variety. There was a need for music venues and interesting

Region 10 is a government membership organization which supports local communities as “a means of regional cooperation and to provide costeffective services. The organization also works on an economic development strategy for the community, which includes making sure infrastructures, such as broadband, are in place. Region 10 Executive Director Michelle Haynes said her organization also administers the Enterprise Zone Business Tax Credits. Enterprise zones are set up by the state legislature to help attract and aid businesses in economically distressed areas be more sustainable and thrive, Haynes explained. There are tax credits for things such as hiring new employees, investing in new equipment, providing health insurance in the first six months and training employees. For those looking for assistance with their business, Region 10 is a good place to start. Those interested in services may reach out to anyone in the organization and they will point them in the right direction. For example, if a business owner calls looking for loan assistance, he/she would be directed to Dan Scinto, the Business Loan Fund director for Region 10. He will do the initial call to see where the business stands, if it’s ready for funding or if the applicant needs to visit with Nancy Murphy, small businesses development director for Region 10, who can provide counseling or business classes. “We’re trying to develop this bit of wrap-around format to make sure that they succeed,” Haynes said. “Our approach here at Region 10 is we love it when businesses come and join our community but we take more of the economic gardening approach — growing the businesses that are within our community. Taking the people who are here, established and they want to either start or grow a business in our community and how do we make sure that happens.” The Region 10 office is at 300 N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose and may be reached by phone at 970- 2492436. Its website is region10.net.

22 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018 events and places like Inopen house is more of a trinzik have evolved. customer appreciation day. “It’s all about having During the latter, the comcomplementary industries pany shows customers new like entertainment and food products, then takes them go hand in hand; anything around town. that basically extends the In both cases, Frank said day or the evening,” Dumas the company uses locally said. “You could go to dinowned and operated businer then you’re, ‘OK, what’s nesses when accommodatnext?’ If there’s nothing next, you go home and go to ing their guests. “I think it’s important to sleep by 9 o’clock.” support the community that Dumas noted downtown you’re living in and to help has a good level of tracto make it better, stronger, tion, though some may want things to change faster and grow in positive ways,” or slower than they have Frank said. “Everybody been. Right now DDA has likes Montrose because it’s asked entrepreneurs who not Denver so we don’t want have ideas or concepts to be Denver. But there still they think would work for has to be growth and trying Montrose to get in contact to balance that out.” with it, MEDC or the Office TEI is one of many busiof Business and Tourism, nesses involved and comDumas said. mitted to making Montrose “Show up and start doing a better place, Rosty said a something because that’s common trait among the what’s really going to drive entire business community. economic development,” Although she doesn’t like Dumas said. “No government entity could ever drive the cliche, she said many economic development area businesses believe a in any city. It’s always the rising tide raises all ships. private entities. Take a risk, “It’s not just that they get jump in it. This is a good it as an economic driver for place to experiment with their business but they actuwhat works.” ally just want to be involved Bringing people into the because they care about our community and downtown community, which is really is important to Frank as cool to see,” Rosty said. “So well. TEI hosts two events from a business perspective a year; drill school and its to come here, it’s a really open house that does just good time, because there that. are still holes and there are Frank explained drill still opportunities in our school teaches students economy for new businesses the drilling process from to come and fit right in.” beginning to end, and the

Montrose Strong

What’s next on Main Street? Downtown is the heart of every city, said Chelsea Rosty, executive director of the Montrose Chamber of Commerce and director of business innovation for the City of Montrose. The area can give someone a snapshot of what the community is about, she noted, adding this is why there (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press) has been a focus on Main Street. The ways this work will be happening is through the Main Street Program and efforts from the Downtown Development Authority. Headed up by Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Main Street Program helps preserve and revitalize downtown areas. Montrose is currently in the candidate status. Committees have been formed and the program is set to move forward. “If you have a vibrant downtown with stores that are doing well, restaurants people want to go to, it just gives people a feel that ‘oh this place is happening. It’s actually successful.’ You know people want to be here,” Rosty said. “So it starts with that, which is why we’ve always said it’s at the heart and then you can see we’ve sprawled out south with our big retail businesses and stuff like that but I don’t think that we would have had any of that success without keeping care of this little core.” Changes are already starting to happen. After the recession, Montrose downtown has less vacant stores, statistically, Downtown Development Authority Manager Sonia Dumas said. There are more stores that are catering to what the community is looking for, she added. There is a slow shift happening downtown, Dumas said. The shift being businesses who have been downtown for a long time are transitioning out and new businesses are coming in. The speed at which the transition is happening is positive, she added. “I think that shift is happening — not at a speed that’s overwhelming for the community, but it’s also not, I would say, not too slow either,” Dumas said. “I think it’s a good pace because there are entrepreneurs and developers that are calling me and asking what’s going on with downtown… there’s something that’s percolating. People feel like they’re not necessarily at the top of the market, they’re not at the bottom of the market, but they are right in the middle where it makes a good sense to start launching, really start thinking, ‘What do I want to contribute?’” Those who are calling and are interested in downtown are the businesses that are needed the most, Dumas said. These include businesses in the food and beverage, entertainment and residential industry. She noted there have also been high-level talks about developing the second level of downtown into a residential scene. Rosty said the Main Street Program starts downtown, but it will be expanding throughout the city. She added the name of the program may change and expressed the desire to incorporate the entire city. The program is designed to create tangible results. “Not only will it make it more beautiful and a more desirable place to spend time and where people want to gather but it’s also going to drive business because people will be gathering around those businesses and they are going to have even more tools at their disposal than they did before,” Rosty said. There are a few aspects of Main Street that need to be addressed — empty storefronts and spaces that are displeasing to the eye — Rosty said. But many of these are easy, scalable fixes which are already being looked at, she added. Entities — the City of Montrose, Montrose County, Region 10, Montrose Economic Development Corporation, Montrose Chamber of Commerce and DDA— working as a team, Rosty said, will create a better environment for incoming and existing business in the community — on Main Street and beyond.

The Great Outdoors Expo is a two-day celebration that includes exciting exhibits and fun activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. The expo exhibitors will feature hunting and fishing gear, wildlife art, gifts, bikes, golf equipment, books, outdoor apparel, camping equipment, Kayaks, boats, recreational vehicles, game calls and more. This event is being heavily marketed to outdoor enthusiasts locally and throughout the Four Corners. Be sure to register early!

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25, 2018

Montrose Strong

A group of deer walk across the road at the start of hunting season. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

Promised land

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES HELPING MONTROSE BECOME PRIME DESTINATION By Andrew Kiser Recreational activities around or in Montrose have helped it become a central hub for tourists and residents in recent years. Montrose’s commitment to offering a wide variety of indoor and outdoor recreational adventures has made it the envy of others and a prized-possession of its residents. With the Community Recreation Center, the annual Montrose County Fair and Rodeo and the pending event center, the enhancement of many local parks, the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and hunting and hiking options on public lands, the quality of recreational offerings is unique. When the Montrose Recreation District only had the old Aquatic Center as its indoor facility, locals mostly used the building, MRD Executive Director Ken Sherbenou said. But with the construction and opening of the MCRC and Field House, rec staff is finding residents and visitors from surrounding counties utilizing them. “Now, that we are a multipurpose recreation center and the largest facility on the Western Slope, we are really seeing a regional draw,” Sherbenou said. “We’ve got families from Grand Junction coming here. That’s one of the reasons why we are really trying to make a lot of the rec features like the lap pools open as much as

possible because we are seeing that regional traffic.” Local residents have also been using the rec center more. According to Sherbenou, when the facility opened, there were 1,500 annual member passes in January 2017. It’s jumped significantly — to over 8,000 — as of January 2018, he noted. “Thankfully, that’s the trend we are seeing that community people are embracing their recreation center,” Sherbenou said of the numbers. “That’s very satisfying.” The local high school and club swim teams have also made good use of the stateof-the-art facility, as it is the home of their practices and several competitions, the latter of which brought swimmers and their families from around the state. Having these events allows athletes and coaches alike to see a different side of Montrose, Sherbenou said. “Since we are for a lot of people the first exposure to Montrose and this is what they think of when they come to Montrose,” he said. Another MRD building that visitors have become familiar with is the Field House, 25 Colorado Ave., which was once the old Aquatic Center. The space, which includes an indoor turf field, was created for different sports like lacrosse, soccer and a batting cage. “Having the field house online has allowed us to offer a lot more additional programs we haven’t offered before or offer them in a way that’s a lot better experi-

Montrose Strong Sherbenou noted. The fresh air has been known to entice outside visitors to the area, too. Several years ago Montrose revamped a portion of Baldridge Park into the Montrose Water Sports Park, which offers users a gradient of 11 feet for 1/5 miles, supporting a leisurely run with natural obstacles, according to the city’s website. It was designed for people with all levels of experience in the water — from those wanting to get their ankles wet to expert kayakers and anglers. “There are a lot of water opportunities in Colorado in general,” said Jennifer Loshaw, the guest services manager for the Office of Business and Tourism. “The water sports park is an excellent opportunity to learn water sports, but also for people to hone or re-strengthen their skills. “People are coming from all over the Down by the river, Gary Mitchell, a flyfisher of about 45 years, said January state because of the easy access. With was his first time this winter coming down to Riverbottom Park, but normally he that capability there, they can come and makes a lot more trips. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press) have an adventure. But they can also get their kids on the river and teach ence,” Sherbenou said. for trail connections was approved, them river safety in a safe environment It has enabled the MRD staff to offer which was the biggest GOCO grant that is close to town.” unique sports like bubble soccer, he ever awarded to Montrose. Known as Beyond the WSP, people can take in said, adding the venue can also host “Connecting the People to their Parks the wondrous views, picnic and pavilevents such as birthday, bachelor and and Recreation” project, the funding ion areas, utilize the various trails, playbachelorette parties. will support the construction of a total “The field house does allow us to ofof 2.25 miles of new trails, with under- grounds and disc golf course, as well as the dog park in nearby Cerise Park. fer a lot more than we have been able to passes, on both ends of town to conOff Chipeta Road and sitting high in the past,” Sherbenou said. “Just like nect more of the public with parks and above the WSP, the Sunset Sports the rec center has.” recreational opportunities. He added that was the goal when From this enterprise, Sherbenou said Complex is a well-maintained area that creating both places. he believes the MCRC can also become features baseball and soccer fields that locals and visitors utilize for practices “When we did the design of this facil- a trailhead. and tournaments regularly. ity and the field house, we tried to put “I can really see families, friends, Additionally, last year, the city passed in as many different things so that we retirees or kids all meeting at the rec an ordinance allowing swimming at can keep people interested,” Sherbenou center,” Sherbenou said, noting they said. “Even as trends change, their incan all then connect to the Uncompah- the pond at Taviwach Park, incidental to the use of non-motorized watercraft terests change or ability change, there’s gre Riverway Trail and take advantage always something for them to do and of spots like the Montrose Water Sports such as stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. have fun.” Park. “This will be an excellent way to Montrose continues to be a hotspot One of those focal points in the near access this river trail corridor, as well as for hunters and fishermen, Colorado future will be the effort to connect Baldridge Park.” trailheads. He added hikers could go all the way Park and Wildlife spokesman Joe LeGreat Outdoors Colorado anto the Montrose County Justice Center wandowski said. “There’s a lot of public land all nounced the City of Montrose and on the north end of town. This could MRD’s $2 million grant application happen within the next year and a half, around Montrose once you get out

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of the valley,” Lewandowski said. “Where we have public land, that’s where it is pretty open and friendly to wildlife like deer and elk.” He also said those are mostly the animals people from coast to coast come to hunt in this part of the state. “Hunters definitely enjoy being in the mountains during the fall,” Lewandowski said. “The views in many, many areas are spectacular like the Sneffels Range and the Cimarrons. And then for areas for fishing like in the Gunnison Gorge, it’s a world-famous fishery down there. That brings anglers from all over the country.” Fishermen are casting their lines to go after trout like brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook, according to Lewandowski. Whether it’s through high country lakes, reservoirs or the Uncompahgre River, the surrounding areas in Montrose hold cleaner water compared to other parts of the U.S., he noted. “Fortunately, we have plenty of streams with good, clean water,” Lewandowski said. “We have a lot of smaller streams that are a lot of fun for fly fishing. It’s not really difficult, so people can go out there and fish.” These kinds of rural opportunities aren’t just exclusive to hunters and anglers. One enticement is the yearly week long Montrose County Fair and Rodeo. According to fair board president Megan Wilson, the rodeo has drawn people from and well beyond Montrose County. Wilson said she talked to tourists from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and even international travelers from Scotland, and they all agreed the fair has a rustic feel to it. “We get a lot of feedback from those people who appreciate that it’s still a small-town county fair, but at the same time we try to encompass different kinds of draws for people of all sports,” Wilson said. “It’s not just

26 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018 the ag community.” She noted such events at the fair include horse and livestock shows, tractor pull and motor mayhem. Wilson said many of the activities at the county fair are available to the public at no cost. “They enjoy that the fair is free,” Wilson said. “We do have those big events that we charge for, but they don’t have to pay to walk through the door.” The building next door and currently under construction is the Montrose County Event Center. The indoor arena will be able to hold a wide variety of different competitions, Fairgrounds Director Emily Sanchez said. “There’s definitely some interesting competition there,” Sanchez said. “I think there are a lot more opportunities that we haven’t even thought of yet.” So far, ideas have consisted of archery and drone races, Sanchez said, adding festivals and concerts are other possibilities. One of those draws means participants are traveling outside of Montrose to partake in them. “If we can host a competition at the event center, those competitors have to come from outside the area,” Sanchez said. “When they come in, they are probably spending and leaving dollars in our economy. That’s the kind of positive economic impact that the event center can be used for.” Another reason why people are spending money locally is because of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park is a tremendous asset to the community, even more so in the last several years, Black Canyon public information officer Sandra SnellDobert indicated. “A lot of people are coming and discovering the smaller parks,” Snell-Dobert said. “It’s not just Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons or the Grand Canyon.” What has become well known about the park located half an hour from Montrose is the geology of it is quite

Montrose Strong

Sitting on top of the plateau, the Sunset Mesa Sports Complex offers a view of the city and several sports fields. Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

Montrose Recreation District Executive Director Ken Sherbenou on a recent day shows off the Community Recreation Center. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

unique, she added. “In the case of the Black Canyon, we have very narrow canyons and there’s nothing like that anywhere else,” SnellDobert said, adding other more well known parks have become crowded. “Now people are looking for places that

are a little bit quieter and less visited, so they don’t have to jostle with the crowds.” Those people visiting the park aren’t just Coloradans. Snell-Dobert noted tourists are coming mostly from western states, but those from outside of the

U.S. have increasingly traveled to the Black Canyon. “We also do have international visitation and that’s growing,” she said. “We don’t do the big bus tours like (other parks), but we do have quite a few international visitors.” Those travelers are seeing the different activities that the Black Canyon has to offer, like hiking, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, scenic driving and wildlife watching. According to Snell-Dobert, those tourists have spent the night and dined in Montrose. “National parks, no matter where they are, are great draws for local communities,” Snell-Dobert said. “People will be trying to come to get to national parks, but they have to stay and eat somewhere. So, they are going to visit those local communities for sure.” Paying a visit to Montrose just doesn’t include stopping at the Black Canyon. Outdoor activities like hunting and fishing have drawn in people from around the U.S. to look at the unique fall leaves, Lewandowski said. In town proper, Wilson noted the Montrose County Fair and Rodeo has been a draw over the summer because of the activities available. The event center being built adjacent to it could draw more people for different reasons, Sanchez said. The MRD has provided a way for outside high school participants to stay overnight in Montrose to compete. Sherbenou reiterated he’s aware the rec center may be people’s first exposure to Montrose. “I think it’s a great way to put our community’s best foot forward in terms of a small community can have a small town feel, but still have this amazing facility that rivals and is one of the very best in the state,” he said.

Montrose Strong

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

During a quiet afternoon, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walls are covered with a fresh snow. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

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Montrose Strong

Low vacancy, booming market By Katharhynn Heidelberg Just a few years ago, the Cedar View development stood all but empty, with just one home on the Hillcrest Drive site. Property managers had rentals to spare. Comparatively little new home construction was taking place and, in real estate, it was a buyer’s market, with a healthy inventory at prices lower than during the pre-recession salad days. Fast forward to the present. Building permits for single-family homes jumped sharply between 2016 and 2017. Realtors are reporting tight inventory, while the vacancy rate for rentals is virtually nil. As for Cedar View, it has added nine more homes. “We’re seeing an escalation,” said developer Matt Miles, who acquired the manufactured home community two years ago as “distressed property.” Miles, of Leadership Circle, also developed such communities as Cimarron Creek. “Selling momentum is picking up,” he said. That’s also true in the housing market, where median listing prices have climbed to a bit north of $250,000, from $233,000 in 2017, which itself is “up considerably” from the year prior, when the average selling price was $204,000, according to Michael Underwood of Better Real Estate Services. Underwood is also chairman of the Montrose Realtors Association. Ben Alexander of Colorado West Property Management reported that in January, all but one of the 450 or so properties his firm manages were occupied. If the housing and rental markets are any indication of economic health — and they typically are — Montrose is turning a corner from the 2008 recession, which had

Located on 346 S. Ninth St., Laura Vickroy, Belva Self, Karmen Keefauver and Manager and Broker Ben Alexander stand together in front of Colorado West Property Management. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

served to crater those same markets. But there’s more than the obvious economic considerations at play. As potential businesses eye Montrose and local employers recruit, low housing inventory and higher prices have led to a housing crunch, one

that also puts the squeeze on people who already live here. As for adding certain types of inventory? There are costs and other factors involved, and people are leery of taking a risk that might not pay off.

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Where do we put people? Montrose has been hard at work trying to attract more industry, as well as to retain what it has. A good supply of housing, including rentals, is a critical component. “It’s right up there with having good schools, transportation and roads,” Montrose County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Sandy Head said. “I do have a problem trying to bring people to the area, due to a lack of housing,” Tiffany Stewart, the recruitment officer for Montrose Memorial Hospital, said in an email. The hospital is one of the biggest employers in the county. “Ninety percent of the people who want to move to the area want to look around first before committing to purchasing a home. Renting is the only option and they are paying outrageous sums for not so appealing places.” Housing is an important piece of economic and business development, Montrose Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chelsea Rosty said. “If we are unable to supply attainable housing for business owners, their staff, or otherwise, then we stand a chance of missing out on a potential recruitment,” she said. “… Montrose has a tight market.” Although prices are lower in Montrose than in other parts of the state, the area has a “very limited” inventory, Rosty said. Property managers use the market to determine rental costs. Because each property varies, and because some are currently being rented at under market value, Alexander couldn’t put a firm figure on the average rents being charged. “We’re pushing a lot more things at about $1,000 (per month),” he said. He added that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s nothing out there for less — the state puts median rental prices in Montrose at $839 a month. “But the rents are higher than they have been in

30 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Montrose Strong

Martinez added. “That’s where the imbalance really starts to come into play and puts pressure on households to make sure they can make ends meet,” she said. is ever good all of the time. The lack Employers and prospective business of inventory does pose a challenge at also are dealing with a bottom line. times,” he added. “If you don’t have houses for people Montrose’s situation is not unique, to live in, you can’t bring them in. All Colorado Housing and Finance Authe surrounding communities are havthority’s business development maning the same issue. Everybody’s got a ager Jerilynn Martinez said. “Unfortunately, that is consistent with housing shortage,” Head said. what other parts of the state are experiencing. Both rent and home sale prices The rub (or two) have increased statewide in recent Building more rental units is so costly years. People are paying more for the and time-consuming that few efforts same housing,” Martinez said. are even being made, Alexander said. Montrose County saw rents increase That contributes to the housing 38 percent over the past five years, she crunch. reported. “When we talk about affordable “It’s less than what the statewide housing, if we built more units in the median is, but the rate of escalation is private market, rents would stabilize more,” Martinez said. and probably come down a little bit, beMontrose County’s median home prices are up 42 percent from five years cause of more availability and competition. But we’re not seeing that because ago, she added. there are few being built for rental At the same time, wages have purposes,” he said. not increased at the same rate,

With a new subdivision being built across the street from Gold’s Gym, Cedar View subdivision has a few houses still under construction and some land that needs to be sold. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

the last several years,” Alexander said. He said he expects more inquiries come spring and summer, from people newly hired to work in Montrose. But: “If things stay the way they are, there’s not going to be much for them to move into.” A similar shortage is seen when it comes to home sales. “In the greater Montrose area, probably the biggest issue is just lack of inventory,” Underwood said. “I’m sure there are a number of reasons why people are not listing. It depends on where the person would be going from there.” A seller leaving Montrose has a fresh housing market to pursue. But those who are selling a home and planning to stay are being caught in the crunch, Underwood said. “We operate under whatever set of circumstances we have. We survived the financial turndown. Not everything

Miles indicated rents on newly built units could prove higher than the Montrose market is capable of bearing. “In today’s building, you have to be able to charge $1.40 per square foot, per month, so 1,000 square feet is $1,400 a month,” Miles said. “Our market doesn’t support that kind of rent and it’s not a deep market, either.” Miles said he targets the lower end of the housing market. At the Cimarron Creek community, people buy the home and lease the lot. At Cedar View, they buy the lot and home as a package. Miles reports the number of sales at both have “increased exponentially.” A new phase at Cimarron Creek hosts 175 home sites; of these, 130 are occupied, he said. “Until a few years ago, we were treading water. We would have somebody leave and get a new guy in, but we weren’t getting an increase in the number of homes in the community,” Miles said. “From 2008 to 2015, we just held our own at about 100 home sites. In 2016 and 2017, we sold 30 new homes and

Montrose Strong

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Infrastructure developer Matt Miles stands in front of some of the lots in Waterfall Canyon subdivision and explains how there are six houses under construction in different stages. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

Rental rates Median rents statewide: Increase over five years: Median rents in Montrose county: . Increase over five years: Source: Colorado Housing Finance Association

$1,319 23% $839 38%

Home prices Median sale price statewide: . Increase over five years: Median sale price in Montrose County: Increase in five years: percent Source: Colorado Housing Finance Association

$339,500 Nearly 50% $220,000 72%

32 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Montrose Strong

Located in the Waterfall Canyon subdivision, an empty lot starts undergoing the steps to have a house built on top. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

20 of those were done in 2017. We’re seeing an escalation. Selling momentum is picking up.” Lot prices, however, are going to climb, said Miles, who added he’s begun alerting contractors. “I bought Cedar View at a very low price and I’m selling the lots in there at below the replacement costs of those lots,” he explained. “If you go and buy a piece of land and title it and go in and put pipes and pavement down, you’re going to be at a higher number than what we’re currently selling these lots (for). As soon as those lots are absorbed (sold), we’re going to have to go and build new lots. “To build a new lot and sell it at a profit that’s sustainable, we’re going to see a $15,000 or $20,000 increase in lot price.” Home prices will increase accordingly, as developers and contractors pass along the costs. Miles indicated he is hopeful the market will be able to absorb such an increase. “That’s the reality. We’re kind of living on distressed lots,” he said. “I hope it doesn’t slow things down. It’s a very big deal.”

Coming up

project in downtown Montrose. “I remain interested in Montrose. I think it’s just a great place,” he said. “It’s not going to grow Add to the challenge the need for truly (in) a healthy manner unless we have more opaffordable housing. tions for housing.” Not all of the entrepreneurs coming to Montrose A lot of good things are happening locally, he said, are CEOS, Head noted. “They need affordable places referring to the rec center, the water sports park, to live,” she said. the Colorado Outdoors Project, a new Columbine “We have a real limit on affordable housing. We’d Middle School being built and increasing high-speed do about anything we can to improve it,” Montrose broadband. Mayor Judy Ann Files said. The missing piece, he said, is housing options — “… Because of the downturn in 2007, a lot of devel- and Watson admits his project alone cannot resolve opers that were building either got hurt or got scared the issue. and backed off. That type of housing just hasn’t been “In my opinion, we’re way ahead of any other city being built.” on the Western Slope in affordability and opportuniShe said city council is directing staff to develop ty, except for there’s a crunch in the housing market,” housing incentives. Watson said. “We would like to encourage more infill building in His project envisions two-story units at 950 square the heart of the city on some of those older lots. We’ve feet, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a garage changed the city code so now you can have more than — dwellings that are smart-home technology capable. a single-family dwelling on a lot,” she said. “I think there’s a market to younger people who Ken Watson is targeting people just starting out on maybe telecommute for their job. If the project were the road to homeownership. Watson is lining up fia perfect success, they would all sell for a reasonnancing in hopes of completing a five-unit townhome able price to younger people who are just moving to

Montrose Strong

Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Other indicators

With plenty of houses going up, Waterfall Canyon subdivision has a view of the mountains, and after developer Matt Miles started the infrastructure in 2005, said he is pleased to see how far it has come. (Sydney Warner/Montrose Daily Press)

town,” Watson said. Watson said he does not consider his project, the target selling range for which is $199,000, to be affordable for all young people, or others in the market for a home. “If you’re in your 20s, there’s no place to rent in this town and you can’t afford to buy anything,” he said. There is a tremendous need for affordable housing, he said, but, as did others, Watson also said it’s expensive to build. Still, diversity of housing types would help, Watson also said. “Montrose has an opportunity to have more public space and the model that would balance us out, potentially, would be to have smaller apartments downtown and diverse choices,” he said. The City of Montrose also has its eye on diversity. Council recently approved acting as the pass-through agency for a Department of Local Affairs grant that will be used to build

a housing complex for the 55-plus community. The project, Woodgate Trails Senior Apartments, is one of 46 affordable rental housing units across the state CHFA is supporting, Martinez said. CHFA and a private investor are working to create the 50-unit, three-story building on Woodgate Road, Virgil Turner, the city’s director of innovation and citizen engagement, said. The developer applied for funding through the Department of Local Affairs, which recognized the availability of money under a pass-through option supported by a local government. The city will create a loan agreement with the developer and hold a deed of trust on the property during the project’s 40-year lifecycle. The city will be able to review the business plan and facility’s operation, Turner said. City council gave its assent and on Jan. 9,

Turner testified about the project to the state housing board. The players were awaiting formal notice of the $500,00 grant at the end of January “The City of Montrose recognizes that we have a need for, not necessarily all affordable housing, but certainly affordable housing for certain segments and senior housing is one of those segments,” Turner said. “This will increase that many, many times.” Watson hopes his project will sell, because its success could be the springboard for a second such project, and contribute to the development of a less homogenous housing mix. “ … We know what a great place Montrose is and I think the rest of the world is going to figure it out. We could be more prepared,” Watson said. As far as the overall state of housing, Files summed it up. “There are things afoot, but everything just takes time,” the mayor said.

Beyond home and rental inventories — and the prices they’re fetching — other indicators point to increased activity locally, as well as efforts to fill needs. In 2017, building permits issued for new single-family residences hit 100, a significant increase from the 56 such permits issued countywide in 2016. Overall the permits issued last year — including for new homes — reached 347, well above the 273 issued in 2016. “I know a lot of contractors are very busy,” Montrose County Commissioner Keith Caddy said. “Right now, housing in general is pretty low (in supply). We could probably use a bigger inventory of affordable homes that the average family (could buy).” On that front, Habitat for Humanity of the San

34 Montrose Daily Press----------February 25, 2018

Juans continues its “sweat equity” mortgage program, under which qualified applicants contribute construction labor for their new homes, in addition to making payments on the finished product at a favorable rate. Habitat is also midway through constructing its first-ever triplex unit in Montrose, which helps diversify the housing mix here. The unit is being built at 333 S. Park Ave., with the successful applicants contributing to the labor pool, along with many volunteers from numerous community organizations. Speaking to the demand for such housing, Habitat received 72 applications for the triplex and could only approve three. For more information about Habitat, visit buildinglives.org. On yet another front, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of the 7th Judicial District is planning a community of “micro-homes” to help youths transitioning out of the foster care system. The eight-unit community, “First Place on Second Street,” was announced last October under a partnership including the Colorado Workforce Center. Similar to Habitat’s sweat equity feature, prospective tenants are to pitch in with construction to learn practical skills, according to an Oct. 21, 2017 Montrose

Montrose Strong

Daily Press article. Such housing fills an important need, said Virgil Turner, City of Montrose director of innovation and citizen engagement. The youths aging out of the foster care system are in a tough spot — they are losing the foster care system support and often, might not have other means of support. “The youth coming out are very much a vulnerable population,” Turner said. More information about CASA, which advocates for youths involved in civil dependency, neglect and abuse cases, can be found at casa7jd. org. Residents may qualify for help through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. The organization offers to eligible people assistance programs for down payments and closing costs, as well as homebuyer education classes. To help the rental market, CHFA works to help developers build affordable housing by offering financing and low-income housing tax credits. It also has programs for nonprofit and not-for-profit businesses. “On the Western Slope, we at CHFA helped 809 households who were pursuing home ownership,” CHFA Business Development Manager Jerilynn Martinez said. More information is available at chfainfo.com.

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