The City of Creede Board of Trustees approved construction drawings for a renovation of the Virginia Christensen Multi-Use Facility at their March 3 meeting, authorizing Phase 1 work that will convert aging locker rooms into nearly 1,200 square feet of flexible community space while addressing a 30-year-old building that costs $22,000 annually to heat. The board also continued a public hearing on short-term rental registration to March 17 after debate over whether commercial properties should require permits, and approved Planning and Zoning Commission bylaws through Resolution 2026-08.
Community Center Transformation
Architect Avery Augur presented Phase 1 plans to remove the dividing wall between men’s and women’s locker rooms, eliminate outdated showers, add natural light through new windows, and install proper insulation on exterior walls. City Clerk/Treasurer Josie Bielenberg said the renovation will create space for meetings, yoga classes, and community events while allowing simultaneous activities with the gymnasium.
Phase 1 will avoid areas requiring structural work, leaving the drop ceiling largely intact while focusing on the locker room conversion and an improved airlock entry. The building’s current problems include minimal insulation, a leaking original roof, and an outdated heating system.
A Phase 2 master plan envisions relocating the kitchen from its current central location, building a $250,000 commercial kitchen off the multi-use room, upgrading bathrooms to ADA compliance, removing the stage for improved floor flexibility, and replacing the entire electrical system. Augur noted the building’s solid rock construction increases costs for ventilation and fire suppression systems.
Trustees raised concerns about structural capacity, as original drawings show 65-pound-per-square-foot snow loads but complete structural documentation is unavailable. An engineering narrative will accompany Phase 2 drawings to address roof replacement, structural assessment, and mechanical system requirements.
Short-Term Rental Rules
The board continued a public hearing on short-term rental registration to March 17 after members of the Short-Term Rental and Lodging Tax Committee, chaired by Mary Beth Miles, requested clarification on whether properties in commercial zones should require permits for lodging uses already allowed by right. The debate centers on Section 6-3-20-B of the proposed ordinance and affects properties such as Aspen Lodge, Old Miners Lodge, and Snowshoe Lodge.
During public comment, a speaker expressed appreciation for the committee’s work and raised concerns about Section 6-3-20-B, specifically whether commercial property classifications were being handled correctly. Committee members noted discrepancies between assessor’s office classifications for property tax purposes and actual zoning designations, creating confusion about which properties fall under the registration requirement. The committee expressed strong alignment on the ordinance overall but needed additional discussion on commercial zone coverage before the board could act.
A draft fee resolution proposes $500 for initial registration and $100 for renewals. Bielenberg noted the fees remain in draft form and require committee review before board consideration. Any adopted ordinance would not take effect until 30 days after publication.
Park Improvements and Infrastructure
Public Works Director Scott Johnson reported the installation of a water bottle fill station at Bastion Park’s main restroom entrance as part of 2026 park improvements. Staff also presented a standardized park and parade permit process covering setup and teardown requirements, a 9 p.m. noise ordinance cutoff, and irrigation system protection. A $250 deposit will cover cleanup costs and ensure parks return to public-use condition.
The board discussed the town’s electric vehicle charger, which costs $20,000 annually while serving minimal traffic — one vehicle was recorded in January. Bielenberg said the city disconnected power to the charger, which prompted surprise from the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (SLVREC), which promised a response within two weeks.
Other Business
Trustees unanimously approved Resolution 2026-08, adopting Planning and Zoning Commission bylaws after rescinding conflicting portions of Chapter 9 of town code. The board also approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the February 17 special meeting and check detail reports for February 2026.
The board discussed three draft employee policies: an on-call and callback compensation policy providing a two-hour minimum pay for emergency responses, a cell phone stipend to replace city-provided phones for some staff, and remote check-in controls for non-exempt employees. Trustees authorized staff to sign support letters for regional projects that carry no cost to the city, including a letter supporting the BUILD La Veta Pass Railroad project. A comprehensive plan survey remains open until noon on March 20. The board’s next meeting is a public hearing and special session on March 17.
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