Developers of a new small hotel planned for downtown Morrison, Colo., are seeking other options after encountering regulatory obstacles to their initial proposal.
As reported by The Denver Post, in an effort to introduce lodging options to downtown Morrison, Colo., Chad Wallace, principal of Evergreen-based Root Architecture and Development, and partner Zeke Freeman, have proposed a three-story, 21-room hotel, named Red Hotel. The small hotel would occupy 203 and 205 Bear Creek Ave., aiming to cater to the influx of concertgoers that visit the nearby Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.
According to The Denver Post, the project has encountered substantial regulatory obstacles. Wallace and Freeman have engaged with the Morrison planning commission, attended multiple meetings, and even faced a petition to appeal after an initial denial of their plans on Feb. 13. The Denver Post notes that despite Root Architecture and Development meeting all zoning code and design guidelines, some residents voiced concerns during public hearings regarding the hotel’s architectural compatibility with the historic feel of Morrison, its height, and its implications for the town’s ban on short-term rentals, such as Airbnb.
In addition, Colorado Community Media reports on March 21 that an emergency ordinance has been approved by the town’s board, imposing a temporary moratorium on any new land-use applications. This decision extends the already six-decade-long absence of commercial development in Morrison. The moratorium, set for three months, aims to halt new applications amid controversy surrounding the proposal for the Red Hotel. Despite the temporary freeze on new applications, the consideration of the hotel’s plans submitted by Root Architecture and Development will continue unaffected. The moratorium will allow town officials to review and potentially rewrite zoning regulations to align with the residents’ vision for Morrison’s future development.
The developers have also expressed willingness to modify plans to accommodate community feedback while ensuring the project remains economically feasible. The proposed hotel project comes with an estimated cost of $7.5 million, inclusive of real estate acquisition and development expenses. Wallace revealed that Root Architecture and Development has already invested $500,000 in preliminary stages, including designs, permits, and consulting fees.
A town board work session regarding amendments to the town code is scheduled for April 5 at the Morrison Town Hall.
Morrison, home to fewer than 400 residents, includes 180 individuals residing in Prestige Care Center, a nursing home.
