Monarch still looking to expand
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- Created on Friday, 04 March 2011 00:34
- Written by Dena Rosenberry
Monarch Mountain continues to draw more skiers after a 2002 ownership change that also brought upgrades, writes Tracy Harmon in the Pueblo Chieftain.
Going forward, the resort hopes to further boost visitation by making additional improvements en route to pushing for a major expansion of runs and lifts in 2015.
Power Monarch LLC, made up of Parker real estate investor Bob Nicolls and partners that include local business owners and Monarch employees, took over the resort in November 2002.
Skier visits are up 20- to 25 percent since.
"When we bought Monarch, there were about 140,000 skier visits a year and it was nearly 185,000 last year," Nicolls said. "The last five years have averaged around 170,000.
"We just need more space," Nicolls said.
The ownership group has already spent nearly $6 million on improvements.
The spending includes a recent upgrade to the Garfield chairlift that has been "very well received," according to Greg Ralph, the resort's marketing manager.
Next, the resort is looking to expand its parking area. "We still need more parking. There are about 30 days of the season where cars are right out to U.S. 50," Nicolls explained.
Read more of Tracy's story about Monarch Mountain and its owners desire to expand the ski area.
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