***Disclaimer: RACC is posting this on behalf of a member business and does not endorse any position in this matter***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Kristin Kenney Williams, 970-390-0062
MTN Lodge Long-Term Guests Will Bolster Town of Ridgway Economy, Owners Say
- “Taxpayer dollars spent by the Town on litigation is misguided” when MTN Lodge wants to help Ridgway grow its population base, bring new ideas to alleviate economic hardship
- MTN Lodge will be forced to shut down if extended stays not allowed
RIDGWAY, CO – March 31, 2026 – Representatives of Ridgway Suites, LLC, the owner of MTN Lodge, say an extended reservation agreement will create year-round, full occupancy and boost spending throughout Ridgway, a mountain town that thrives largely in the summer months only.
MTN Lodge has operated as a traditional hotel since it opened in the early 1990s. Over the years, it has regularly welcomed long-term guests with extended-stay agreements – a common practice throughout Colorado.
The Lodge – and businesses throughout Ridgway – suffer year-round. The primary tourism season only lasts four months out of the year. This year, local businesses are bracing for scaled-back summer visitation due to drought conditions, a lack of activities and events, and lower hotel occupancy.
Given these tough conditions, MTN Lodge entered into an extended reservation agreement with Merrimac Ventures, the developer of nearby Telluride’s Four Seasons Resort. Merrimac plans to have various subcontractors stay at the hotel, depending on the trades needed at each stage of construction. When there is sufficient vacancy, rooms are available to the public for nightly rental. When the hotel is full, the Lodge has been referring guests to Ridgway’s two other hotels.
The Town of Ridgway is asserting that long-term occupancy would require MTN Lodge to apply for a zoning change, which the Lodge ownership group disputes, saying renting a hotel room longer than 30 days is allowed under current Town code. The Town is also arguing that MTN Lodge is required to pay a combined 9.6% lodging and sales tax, also disputed by the ownership group.
Ridgway’s municipal code does not prohibit hotels from offering longer stays, and it expressly distinguishes hotels from residential housing. The Town’s own tax provisions also recognize that hotel guests may stay 30 days or more. Additionally, the Town code, which follows Colorado state code, specifically provides an exemption from lodging and sales tax for stays of 30 days or more.
“For these reasons, MTN Lodge believes its operations comply with the code as written and has made several attempts to find a cooperative resolution with the Town,” says MTN Lodge spokesperson, Kristin Kenney Williams. “Despite the differences of opinion regarding Town code and litigation initiated by the Town of Ridgway, we are committed to ongoing, forward-thinking discussions and engaging additional business leaders.
“MTN Lodge wants to collaborate on long-term solutions to enhance community vitality while keeping its doors open with year-round occupancy,” she adds. “We don’t want to be in litigation with our Town partner. For Ridgway officials to spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on litigation against a local business that is trying to help the Town is not only short-sighted but also incredibly irresponsible.
“Extended reservation agreements for long-term lodging guests, are wisely utilized in seasonal Colorado towns for the benefit of both the business owner and the community,” explains Kenney Williams. “Rather than MTN Lodge and The Million Roadhouse completely shutting its doors, extended reservation agreements create an opportunity for year-round local business support and increased sales tax revenue for the Town.”
Shannon Bohard, MTN Lodge’s general manager, has worked at the lodge since 2021. She says another benefit of the Merrimac agreement is that the popular The Million Roadhouse will reopen Memorial Day Weekend.
“I’m asked nearly every day if we’re going to shut down the Lodge and not reopen The Million Roadhouse,” says Bohard. “The answer, unfortunately, is, ‘yes,’ if an agreement with the Town can’t be reached. Our guests are excited to be a part of the Ridgway community during their stay. And I couldn’t have a more committed ownership group that collaborates with me on initiatives to activate the town I love with creative event and marketing ideas to entice guests to make Ridgway their destination over Telluride – to me, it makes more sense to spend town coffers on ideas to grow Ridgway’s economy through year-round offerings and events, versus forcing us to shut the Lodge down because we have so few guests and we’re facing a lawsuit brought forward by our local government. Let’s make Ridgway proud!”
Kenney Williams added: “Colorado towns that leverage innovative partnerships/collaborations and new ideas to boost their cyclical economies succeed over the long-term.”
Since purchasing the hotel in 2021, Lodge owners have employed Ridgway residents and offered a family-friendly venue for great food and music. The Lodge has supported the community with donated rooms, hosted local events at The Million Roadhouse, and built strong relationships throughout the Town. Despite the litigious intentions of Town representatives, the Lodge remains committed to supporting the Ridgway community.
The Merrimac extended reservation agreement will ensure the ownership group can keep MTN Lodge open and operating, with staff and workforce guests contributing to local businesses. (Even Ridgway State Park – Ouray County’s largest bed base with about 280 camper/RV pads – is closed in the winter.)
“We are committed to building trust with the Town and alongside the community. The Merrimac agreement enables The Million Roadhouse to reopen and provides an increased number of people staying in Ridgway and spending money at local businesses. This will kick-start increased sales tax revenue for the Town very quickly. Rising tides will lift all boats throughout Ridgway; we are already starting to see evidence of this and excited to move forward with positive intent - not litigation.”
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