After support from local residents and business owners, the Mancos Board of Trustees plans to amend a motor home ordinance to allow longer stays in town.
During the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 10, several residents spoke in favor of longer stays at Riverwood RV Resort, which would allow the business to remain open from March through December.
According to the Mancos municipal code, RV parks can operate only from April through November. Motor homes must move every 30 days. Many at the meeting said the restrictions are partly intended to prevent the business from becoming a mobile home park.
Speakers said a consistent presence of RV residents would boost local commerce and support the small-town economy.
Kim Campbell, executive director of the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce, presented nine letters of support from chamber businesses. She estimated potential revenue based on the RV park’s capacity – two guests per site at 68 sites.
“There’s a potential for another $414,800 in additional revenue to our businesses,” Campbell said. “At 4% of that, that’s another almost $17,000 in sales tax revenue to the town.”
“We love what the RV park has brought into our community,” said Tyler Bruce, who works for Kilgore American Indian Art. “They bring in a good amount of revenue for this town in our slow seasons.”
Attendee Tim Hunter called the ordinance “onerous and arbitrary.”
“I don’t know of any business around that has the town dictate their operation calendar,” Hunter said.
“Riverwood is seeking the same rights and privileges as all other businesses in town, and we hope that can be granted,” said RV park owner Dugan McDonald.
Mancos Mayor Pro Tem Brent McWhirter, co-owner of Columbine Bar & Grill, said RV residents bring business to his restaurant.
“Thirty days is quick, especially for snowbirds or older people,” said Mancos Trustee Daniel Hennek. “I mean, maybe we're not having that crowd in the winter, but still, I don't see that necessarily as the town's business to be getting involved.”
Hennek said the priority is public safety and infrastructure maintenance.
“So, protect our infrastructure from freezing and backflow issues and make sure that fire and EMTs can get in there, you know, that sort of thing,” he said.
“I would certainly be in favor of making some appropriate adjustments, whether that's 90 or even 180 days.”
Town Administrator Heather Alvarez said that if the board wants to move forward, it will need to hold a public hearing and work with the Mancos Planning and Zoning Commission as well.
Alvarez added that the town must conduct further research.
