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Grand Lake’s first trustee meeting of the year begins with approving Gateway Inn building upgrades

The Grand Lake Board of Trustees met Monday, Jan. 13, marking the first meeting of 2025. During the meeting, trustees discussed public meeting posting locations, building applications, development approvals and more.

The meeting agenda included three hearings for various building and development requests, including two variance requests, but the Grand Lake planning commission continued the hearings of the variance requests until Feb. 5.

Grand Lake Family LLLP, property owner of the Gateway Inn at 120 W. Lake Ave., applied for approval of its final development plan amendment. The development plan for the hotel and restaurant includes adding an enclosed structure to separate back-of-house operations, updating and formalizing the building’s fire lane, paving the gravel parking lot on the west end of the building and making minor improvements to on-site drainage.



Planning commission members recommended approval of the application at the meeting Jan. 8, when the public hearing was held.

The final development plan amendment was passed by trustees with Mayor Steve Kudron abstaining. Trustee and Mayor Pro-Tem Christina Bergquist said she looks forward to seeing the new project once it’s finished.



The photo on the left shows a gravel parking lot covered in snow in early January. The right photo is the kitchen and back-of-house operations area of the Gateway Inn in Grand Lake. The business is planning on paving the parking lot and adding a covered shelter to the kitchen area. The units above the kitchen have a view of these back-of-house operations and the owners wish to add a buffer structure to keep the operations separate.
Grand Lake/Courtesy image

No applicants for town planner

Also at the meeting, Kudron gave an update regarding the town’s search for a planner. He explained that town staff have posted the position for two 30-day periods and that each round received one applicant, with neither having the required qualifications. Since town planners are essential to a functioning town government, Kudron offered some creative solutions while staff continues to search for a qualified individual.

Previously, using an emergency resolution, the board authorized the hiring of Ayres Associates to preform planning services while the town searched for a planner. Due to town staff’s concern about finding a qualified planner on time, they requested that the board consider alternatives.

Kudron explained that the town had received a planning capacity grant of $174,019 in October 2024 from the Department of Local Affairs to supplement its planning staff specifically to implement and fast-track affordable housing solutions. However, these funds may also be used for up to 12 hours for current full-time staff to develop affordable housing solutions as well as the services of a qualified consultant.

Town staff recommended issuing a request for various planning services, including managing affordable housing development projects, on-call services for large developments, processing permits and more. Additionally, the town will be hiring someone local to fulfill a Planner I role. Town staff explained that this person would handle day-to-day operations in Grand Lake and potentially transition into the role of town planner as they gather more experience.

Trustees took no formal action and instructed staff to continue working on the issue.

At a glance

In other business:

  • The board approved to post notice of public meetings at the Grand Lake Post Office and the Grand Lake Town Hall at least 24 hours prior to public meetings in 2025. A memo on the item indicates that the town has been following the same procedure for the past 29 years.
  • Grand Lake Administrative Assistant/Event Manager Sarah Weekes was appointed as town clerk pro-tem. Weekes will be attending the Colorado Municipal Clerk Association’s Clerk Institute to obtain her Colorado Municipal Clerkship, according to the agenda.
  • The board approved an emergency ordinance, 01-2025, which limits businesses using natural psychedelic substances, such as psychedelic-assisted therapy offices, to commercial and commercial transitional zones, except from the downtown business overlay in the town, which includes the town boardwalk. In addition, they are prohibited within 1,000 feet of schools or day cares. The trustees approved it unanimously with Mayor Steve Kudron abstaining.

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