Some Nucla Main Street business owners have been attending meetings to discuss initiatives to increase tourism, commerce and visibility. At the Nucla Town Board Meeting of Trustees on June 8 — which was a Monday, rather than a Wednesday, due to many other community meetings held that week — Mayor Paula Brown gave an update on some of the discussions.
She said business owners and property owners have discussed working on signage for Highway 141, then leading to the Main Street. She’s reached out to CDOT to potentially take away the Nucla Loop Signs, which may be ineffective at this point. She’s looking into the icon signs, which feature images alerting travelers that gas, food, beds and EV charging stations are available.
She said Colorado typically requires there to be 50 beds available to post the lodging icon, but a CDOT supervisor could override that. Bo Andrews, of Montrose County Road and Bridge, was supportive.
Brown said Nucla would have to enter into an MOU with CDOT to assume responsibility of damaged signs. It would be the town’s expense. Cost is about $3,500, and the group thought the color green would be consistent with other signage. Signs are 60x18 inches.
The group agreed on locations along the existing loop, and one is needed by Silver Hawk Ranch, and probably the turn by Dave Kelly’s house. On the other side, a sign from Calamity Draw would be helpful, and then again at the big curve.
Town trustees appeared to like the icon signage ideas. The cost could come out of the lodging tax fund, which contains $11,000.
“I think it’s a great idea, and I’m all for it,” said Trustee Darla Joseph.
The mayor said there’s also talk of updating the welcome sign that drivers see upon entering Nucla. She said Britt Hoff, of HnH Sign, and Josh Fengel, of Split Rocks Printworks, were there sketching ideas.
Signage directing electric vehicles to San Miguel Power Association’s office is also needed, so drivers clearly know where the EV charging stations are.
The Rimrocker Trail continues to be another point of discussion. The town and Main Street businesses would like trail users to come through Main Street; however, maps and apps direct traffic around it. Brown said some of the diversion has to do with liability and ATVs on a state highway. Regardless, she said the lack of consistency doesn’t make sense.
She’s opened a conversation with county officials, namely Erika Story who’s working on the trail updates. Story agreed there’s room for discussion on the re-route. No date to talk was set, but Brown is working on it.
The mayor added the Rimrocker Trail is 160 miles long and part of a bigger loop that connects to Grand Junction, Montrose and Moab, approximately 600 miles. She said it’s good to promote this.
Brown said other ideas have come up. She personally wonders why the town continues to have people pay a fee for the side-by-sides. She said the money generated doesn’t bring much in, and perhaps just getting permits done is enough.
“What are we getting out of that $100 to 150 a year?” she asked trustees.
Only six ATV users paid for permits last year.
Similarly, the mayor is questioning the Nucla town business licenses. She said business owners have enough expenses, and she’s wondering if having the license on file is enough, without paying the annual fee.
The Main Street business collective met again June 22.
In a separate meeting, the Forum asked the mayor about how to encourage a possible taco stand in Nucla that served drinks, or a pizza shop, or potentially a farm-to-table restaurant that showcased Apple Core products, local eggs and more. The mayor and the Forum agreed that between Deli Drinks Desserts, the grand opening of The Branding Iron, and also the Fengel’s forthcoming bakery, it appeared some food attractions were indeed happening.
