The Future Is Local: Building a Sustainable Valley Economy
Looking Forward to a Sustainable Future Based on Deeply Ingrained Agricultural Roots
Surrounded by vast farmlands and framed by the striking landscapes of the San Luis Valley, the City of Monte Vista, Colorado, is a place where heritage meets progress. Here, generations of hard work and innovation have shaped a community that values both its agricultural roots and the promise of a more sustainable, connected future.
City Manager Gigi Dennis describes Monte Vista as an older, established community that is successfully attracting younger generations and new entrepreneurs. “Monte Vista has a rich cultural history,” Dennis says. “We’re part of the San Luis Valley, an area of about 150 miles by 75 miles covering 8,000 square miles. It’s home to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, the highest dunes in North America. Our roots are in agriculture-such as alfalfa and barley and we’re still one of the nation’s top producers of fresh market potatoes . Most of those are grown right here in the San Luis Valley.”
Agriculture remains at the heart of Monte Vista’s identity, but the city is also cultivating new growth through entrepreneurship, community partnerships, and creative redevelopment. “Our businesses tend to center around what the agricultural community needs,” Dennis adds, “but we’re seeing more diversification than ever before.”
Blending Community and Commerce
Monte Vista’s downtown is undergoing a vibrant revival, blending its historic charm with fresh energy. The city is focusing on walkability, retail expansion, and culinary diversity. “We want more retail establishments, more restaurants,” Dennis explains. “We’ve been blessed recently with new eateries, including Tumbleweed Bread, which adds to our growing food culture. And, of course, we have the best Mexican food in Colorado right here in Monte Vista.”
Jacob Gefell, co-owner of Tumbleweed Bread and Executive Director of Tomorrow’s Bread, is one of the entrepreneurs breathing new life into downtown. “Tumbleweed Bread is a whole-grain, naturally leavened bakery that sources all its grain locally from the San Luis Valley,” Gefell says. “We wanted to fill a niche, to produce food that’s not just flavorful and fun, but truly healthful. Our location sits at the end of a commercial street, right next to a neighborhood—it’s the perfect spot to connect community and commerce.”
Beyond baking, Gefell is invested in the region’s agricultural future. He points out that water scarcity poses a real challenge to the Valley’s farming economy. “We’re going through a pinch point with our water resources,” he explains. “We’re trying to highlight climate-smart crops like dry beans, pulses, and ancient grains, crops that use less water and could be the future of agriculture here. Through Tomorrow’s Bread, we’re exploring ways to build infrastructure for these crops and support our local farmers.”
Gefell’s dual ventures, one for-profit and one nonprofit, illustrate Monte Vista’s forward-thinking spirit. “We’re developing a new food manufacturing sector in our economy,” he says. “It’s about creating good jobs, sustainable farming, and products that benefit both people and the planet.”
Hospitality and Tourism on the Rise
Monte Vista’s economic diversification is expanding into new industries, particularly hospitality, which is adding to the city’s appeal as a regional destination. Dennis points to one of the city’s biggest projects: the Cobblestone Hotel, currently under construction adjacent to the Ski Hi Event and Conference Center.
“Ski HI is a 54,000-square-foot event and conference center built during COVID with $9 million raised through local investors, foundations, and state funding,” Dennis explains. “It’s the largest facility of its kind in the San Luis Valley, and the new Cobblestone Hotel—a four-story, 62-room property—will anchor it. This partnership will attract overnight guests and multi-day events, boosting our tourism and local economy.”
The city is also adding 15 RV spaces and a new shower facility near the event center, enabling it to double as an emergency evacuation site if needed. Monte Vista hosts signature events such as the Rocky Mountain Southern Agricultural Conference, the annual migration of sandhill cranes each March, and the 103-year-old Ski HI Stampede, the oldest professional rodeo in Colorado.
Ivette Atencio, Monte Vista Community Officer for the LOR Foundation, emphasizes how collaboration drives such success. “With the LOR Foundation, our focus is on supporting local projects that improve livability, opportunity, and responsibility,” Atencio says. “We work alongside the city, nonprofits like Tomorrow’s Bread, and local residents to identify community needs and help champion solutions. Sometimes that means providing funding, sometimes just helping people find the right resources. The key is empowering locals to take the lead.”
Atencio, who grew up in Monte Vista, sees the hotel project as a sign of progress. “It’s exciting to see our community flourish,” she says. “The Cobblestone Hotel will be a huge investment, not just economically but symbolically. It shows that Monte Vista is growing, and that we have leadership, like Gigi’s, that truly embodies responsible growth.”
Expanding Housing and Workforce Opportunities
Like many communities across North America, Monte Vista is confronting a housing shortage. Dennis says the city is taking action. “We have an out-of-state investor building a modular home factory within city limits,” she explains. “It could add 50 new jobs and supply homes across the Valley and into neighboring states. Another private investor is developing a 25-unit apartment complex with studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom rentals. It’s been nearly 30 years since Monte Vista saw a new apartment building, so this is a major milestone.”
In addition to housing and new jobs, the city is also partnering with local education and workforce development organizations to ensure residents have access to skills training. Programs with nearby institutions and regional employers are being expanded to support trades, construction, and hospitality sectors, preparing the next generation for long-term employment opportunities within Monte Vista.
The new developments are designed to help keep the workforce local and support the city’s broader economic goals. “We want people who work here to live here,” Dennis adds. “Between the modular housing project, new commercial developments like AutoZone and Dollar General, and the restaurants opening downtown, we’re seeing renewed confidence in Monte Vista.”
Investing in the Systems That Sustain Growth
Supporting all this growth requires a strong infrastructure foundation. Dennis notes that the city is investing heavily in critical systems. “We have to build a new wastewater treatment facility,” she says. “It’s a $42 million project, which is a huge undertaking for a community of 4,000. We’ve secured $30 million in funding so far through USDA Rural Development, and we’re exploring every option to cover the rest.”
Connectivity and accessibility are also improving. Monte Vista enjoys reliable high-speed internet, and a major grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation is helping enhance sidewalk systems and pedestrian routes. “We’re improving sidewalks to connect our Ski HI Event Center to downtown and linking the high school and the commercial district as well,” Dennis says. “We’re always looking for grants to make the city more walkable and connected.”
If funding is secured, future plans even include converting an old irrigation ditch into a walking and biking trail, in partnership with the University of Colorado. “It would give residents a safe, scenic path through town,” Dennis adds. “That project embodies our long-term vision for community health and outdoor access.”
Honoring the Land, Nurturing the Future
For Dennis, Monte Vista’s vision is deeply personal. “I grew up here,” she says. “After working elsewhere, I came back because I believe in this community. Monte Vista has inner beauty, our cultural diversity, our churches, and our parks. We want to enhance those features and make Monte Vista a hub for outdoor recreation, from the golf course we own to the nearby wildlife refuge and mountains just minutes away.”
Agriculture remains at the center of that vision. “It’s our bread and butter,” Dennis emphasizes. “The potato industry alone adds $350 million to our economy. Protecting our water resources and ensuring our farmers can thrive is critical to our future.”
The Rio Grande River, whose headwaters lie just 80 miles north, sustains both the city and its vast agricultural basin. The city’s environmental initiatives, such as tree planting, are also designed with sustainability in mind. “We received a million-dollar grant from the U.S. Forest Service to plant 500 trees over the next few years,” Dennis says. “These will replace aging trees and preserve our beautiful tree-lined streets for generations. It supports our identity, combats climate change, and even helps maintain the water supply.”
A Community Moving Forward Together
Collaboration defines Monte Vista’s progress. From nonprofits like Tomorrow’s Bread and the LOR Foundation to private investors and civic leaders, the city is aligning efforts to create a vibrant, sustainable future. Atencio puts it best: “When people from different sectors come together with the same goal—to make Monte Vista stronger—anything is possible.”
With deep agricultural roots, a revitalized downtown, ambitious infrastructure projects, and a shared commitment to sustainability, Monte Vista is proving that small cities can lead in innovation while staying true to their heritage. As Dennis reflects, “We’re proud of who we are, and even prouder of where we’re headed.”
AT A GLANCE
Who: Monte Vista, Colorado
What: A close-knit agricultural community known for its rich farming heritage, scenic mountain views, and warm, community-oriented spirit.
Where: Situated in the high-altitude San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, within Rio Grande County.
Website: www.montevista.gov
