The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe has received approval to reopen its pottery shop at 27601 Highway 160 in Cortez, after a comprehensive application process and presentation to the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners.
The property, which is a little over 4 acres in size and includes a building constructed in 1979, was represented by Beth Cascaden at the meeting. To receive its approval, the space was required to acquire commercial rezoning, a high-impact permit and a setback variance.
The shop, which has been closed for five years because of COVID-19 and other factors, has been listed as commercial retail for tax purposes. This year, the tribe paid over $9,000 in property taxes, according to Cascaden.
The property required formal rezoning to align with the newly adopted land use code. It also required a setback variance because of its 42-foot distance from the property line, which is short of the 50-foot requirement for commercial buildings that are bordering agricultural-residential land.
The space – prime U.S. Highway 160 frontage just a few miles from the Mesa Verde National Park entrance – will put the Ute Mountain Ute tribe’s pottery studio and cultural-arts store in a highly visible location to capture tourist traffic. The Ute Mountain pottery studio and retail store has historically been located on U.S. 160 just north of the tribe’s casino.
The tribe purchased the 15,000-square-foot building for $825,000 from brothers and longtime owners Scott and Jay Tipton in in 2014. For 35 years, the popular format of Mesa Verde Pottery centered on Native American potters creating their artwork in a studio that could be viewed by visitors through a glass wall.
Because of predicted traffic increases on U.S. 160 from visitors to the pottery shop, a high-impact permit was obtained, as well as an application submitted for a new Colorado Department of Transportation access permit.
Concerns were raised by the Cortez Cemetery board, represented by Howard Kaime. Kaime cited concerns surrounding noise from a proposed outdoor vendor area that would be part of the pottery shop.
The tribe agreed to install a privacy fence, limit outdoor music to acoustic and close the outdoor space during funerals, if they are notified about an upcoming funeral.
Montezuma Basin Inc.’s access to an irrigation canal was also discussed. Montezuma Basin’s access will be maintained, with the fence design ensuring unobstructed entry. A gate can also be added, if needed.
The Montezuma County Planning and Zoning board recommended approval with a 4-1 vote, and the Board of County Commissioners granting final approval, saying that it would be "good for the building be occupied again.“
