The Mancos Town Board debated the possibility of selling “cards” or “subscriptions” to use the town’s water dock at this week’s regular meeting.
The idea arose last year as a way to limit the dock’s usage after the town saw increased summer usage. This was just a discussion item, with no action taken, but staff advocated not to go with this option and to keep the current water dock use rules.
“We have total discretion,” Town Administrator Heather Alvarez said. “And the concern is by selling memberships, we are now promising something. Do we want to give up the autonomy that we have now?”
Historically, people have been able to show up to the dock, pay a quarter, and then collect water, Alvarez said. Developers will sometimes contact the town looking to use the water dock as a source, she said.
“The answer is always ‘no,’” she said.
Last summer, the dock saw a significant increase in water dock usage, after neighboring municipalities closed or limited use of their own water docks.
“In response to the corresponding increase in our water dock usage, and in addition to the watering restrictions placed on town residents, the town of Mancos limited the days and times our water dock was available for out-of-town users,” Alvarez wrote in a staff report.
Conversations ensued regarding the water dock’s future, she said. One of the possibilities presented included starting a “subscription” service for the dock’s usage, with membership limited to residents within the 81328 ZIP code.
However, she worried that a membership program would come with certain strings attached. If another severe drought hits the valley or if the town saw a spike in water dock usage, they could follow a similar course to last year, limiting the dock’s hours.
The board members agreed with the staff recommendation, although a few added that this year might look different from future years because of the extra precipitation this winter.
Mayor Queenie Barz said this year they could go “status quo,” but they should keep a few alternatives open for future drought years.
Trustee Cindy Simpson also brought up the value of keeping water in the Mancos Valley.
A few other county and statewide issues were also discussed at the Wednesday night meeting.
Mancos Marshal Justen Goodall brought up House Bill 1177, the controversial “red flag” gun bill, which would give law enforcement the right to take firearms from gun owners who they believe pose a threat. Much is still uncertain, he said, but he highlighted that his office would be required to uphold state law should the bill pass.
“If the House Bill passes, it will impact the town of Mancos financially as the Marshal’s Office will have to hire additional officers to handle the officer safety aspects of seizing firearms,” Goodall wrote in a staff report. “We will also need to expand the evidence room to allow for firearms to be stored for required period of up to 364 days.”
Alvarez also updated the board on the status of Paths to Mesa Verde, a proposed trail connecting Mancos and Cortez. She specifically focused on the 8-mile sector of the proposal that would affect the town.
The town and county are currently waiting to hear back on the status of their project submission to Great Outdoors Colorado through the Colorado Connect Initiative.
Mancos must receive approval from GOCO before finishing the application process, she said. This particular grant is just one of several funding streams the town and county are pursuing to pay for the project.
The overall construction budget for two sections of trail from Mancos to Mesa Verde National Park is $12 million for a 10-foot-wide concrete path and retaining walls, according to a staff report from Alvarez.
ealvero@the-journal.com
