Cuchara, CO – New owners have plans to reopen southern Colorado’s Cuchara ski area, shuttered since 2000 and one of the closest ski areas to Colorado Springs.nThe 225-acre ski area was acquired out of foreclosure late last month by Michael Balloun of Arlington, Texas, and was transferred this month to a new recreation district that is intent on reopening the ski area, which has fallen into disrepair over its decade of dormancy. The Huerfano County board of commissioners was to vote on creation of the recreation district to issue bonds to finance the ski area’s rebirth. Fundraising efforts are also underway to help pay for the $14 million in necessary renovations and improvements.

Officials tout 600 new jobs in the county that will be created by the project’s proposed new hotel, conference center, lake, mountain coaster, zip line, downhill skiing, halfpipe and tubing hill. Colorado Springs developer The Case Group also plans $7 million in real estate development on land it intends to purchase from the project.