MONTE VISTA - On July 16, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for Cobblestone Hotel at the Ski-Hi Complex in Monte Vista. 

The hotel will feature 62 rooms, an indoor bar and pool, and a breathtaking patio view.  Many local private investors are behind the project. 

Monte Vista City Manager GiGi Dennis has spearheaded the hotel, with a vision to further expand the community. Dennis spoke at the groundbreaking and stated that she remembers when she was hired in 2021, when the ribbon cutting for the new Outcalt Center at Ski-Hi took place. 

“People were excited about the possibility of new opportunities. Investors of all ages gave anywhere from $5 to $2 million to build this beautiful facility behind us. Staff was hired and we were open for business.” 

Dennis stated that there have been so many events that have taken place since then, at the event center from the Crane Festival to the Stampede, to the Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference, to weddings, parties, business meetings, and trainings- they have all filled the building.  

Dennis stated she remembers being asked by Sarah Stoeber, Executive Director for the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group, what she specifically wanted to see for Monte Vista. 

“I said I need a hotel. I want a hotel. We need to anchor this hotel to the event center, where people can walk across the parking lot, and they do not need to travel elsewhere,” Dennis said. 

Dennis spoke about a phone call she received from Vice President of Development for the Cobblestone Hotel chain, Tim Shefchik, after Stoeber introduced her to him, “He called me from Wisconsin, he said my name is Tim, I want to come to Monte Vista and I want to meet you. I want to build a hotel.”  

Dennis explained that the Cobblestone Hotel chain is a growing company who works with local communities, local banks, and local investors. 

“Cobblestone wants to keep the money in our community, and not with outside investors who will likely never come to Monte Vista,” she said. 

Dennis stated that she knew that it could be done after she heard from Shefchik, she knew that they could do it. Dennis stated that she along with local investors saw this vision, believed in Monte Vista and wanted to make it happen.  

Shefchik also spoke at the ceremony and stated that in 2013 they had looked at starting a Cobblestone Hotel project due to the need for one in Monte Vista, but while there was need and there were investors at the time, there was not the correct driver. Shefchik stated that Dennis was the driver of this project who had really gotten all of it up and running and he knew that the project would be successful because of the ambition behind it. “When we started talking we figured out how we could get this thing pulled together. We talked about anything that could possibly come up, we talk ourselves through anything that comes up.”  

Shefchik stated that he is also excited because the type of hotel they will be putting in Monte Vista is the main-street-high-end-boutique-style hotel. “There will be visibility from the highway with four stories. We want to have a very open and inviting patio. We want to have an open walking campus that’s safe. This community is rich in history, so the artwork in the hotel will be historical, it will be rich in history also.”  

The $12 million hotel project will not only help bring more revenue to the city, but will also bring jobs. 

Investors Laura and Jane Martin spoke about why they believe there really is a need for the hotel in Monte Vista. Jane stated, “It’s a super great thing for the San Luis Valley. We have needed it for a while. If you have people staying here, they are going to be eating here and shopping here, so all of the other businesses are going to benefit too.” 

Laura stated, “What’s nice is it’s community owned. This is local people, taking a risk. Monte Vista is going to dry up and blow away, if we don’t start paying attention to the community and bringing some stuff in. There is a need for this. It’s a great location too.”  

Investor Erin Hatton stated, “I am from Monte Vista. I believe in a vision that creates more movement in our town, and drives more people to our restaurants, gas stations, and small stores. I think this will drive more people to our town to have more events too, weddings, parties, this is about supporting your community, and driving revenue here.”  

Investor Susan Rogers stated that she is really excited about the hotel. “I have lived here since I was in eighth grade. My vision is I want this to help Monte Vista thrive. I know this will take some time, but the location is good, people don’t’ have to cross the street to go back and forth to the event center. I know that they want to do overnight conventions, and now they have that option. GiGi has done so much for the community and she is just moving. This is really going to help that movement.”  

Dr. Richard Santi and his wife Cheryl are investors and are excited about their investment. Cheryl stated, “This is such a great investment. GiGi called us when she was getting started. We spoke to other investors too. We are all people who care about Monte Vista. Gigi is the driving force behind us. This Cobblestone Company was here about 10 years ago, and nobody responded, but with GiGi here, she responded she’s making things happen. This is going to help the event center so much. It’s such a good thing for our community, its growth with a purpose.”  

After the ceremony, Dennis stated, “I am overwhelmed with gratitude from the investors, city council, the business community, and everyone, all of the supporters of this project. To see it now, that they are breaking ground and for the naysayers, the bottom line is show up to City Council meetings and you will hear what is going on. Monte Vista is getting a hotel.”