The owner of the Rio Grande Southern Hotel has been allowed back into her business after it was shut down by the town of Dolores for building code violations.
Owner Susi Sieber and her six residents were evicted from the historic downtown hotel on March 11 with less than a day's notice.
The town cited public safety for the sudden shutdown, and reported multiple building code violations, including for electrical issues.
Sieber is contesting the report of code violations, and is scheduled for an appeal hearing on May 5.
"I am waiting on my appeal, and have been working on some upgrades," she said. "I'm looking forward to getting customers back for my hotel and restaurant."
Sieber said her lawyer recently negotiated with the town for her to re-occupy the hotel, which also includes a restaurant and a patio.
"New guests are calling, my cook is ready to return, and I'm waiting for some income to restock my restaurant and pay my bills," Sieber said.
Signs posted on the door stating "Unsafe building. Do not enter" have been removed, and locks installed by the town and sheriff's office are also gone. The hotel's website does not say it is closed.
Dolores town officials have also expressed concerns about the hotel being rented out for permanent residents, rather than for its status as a guest hotel under town regulations.
"It is zoned for use as a hotel and bed and breakfast," said Lana Hancock, interim town manager.
A state electrical inspector, along with Dolores building inspector Michael Hill, cited the hotel for code violations that led to its shutdown in March.
Hill reported that he has not been asked to conduct additional inspections since then.
The Rio Grande Southern Hotel was built in 1893 and is the oldest business in Dolores. It flourished during the Dolores heyday a century ago when locomotives full of freight and passengers ran through the center of town. The hotel served as a boarding house for the railroad and its customers.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com
