Conclusions of Department of Commerce Research

Denver, CO, February 14, 2018 – Department of Commerce research commissioned by Secretary of Interior Sally Jewel to determine the value of outdoor recreation as part of the Gross Domestic Product was released today. The research identified that outdoor recreation accounted for 2% of the GDP or more than $371 Billion in spending annually and that this value was steadily increasing from 2012 to 2016.

This research further concluded that motorized spending was the dominant portion of spending for recreational activity, and almost exceeded all other spending sources combined….

“COHVCO/TPA representatives were always aware of the strong relationship motorized recreation played in outdoor recreation but even we were surprised at the values established in the Department of Commerce Research. This is welcome information and will be very helpful in undertaking land management decisions on public lands moving forward and confirmed what many in the industry had believed for many years” said Don Riggle, TPA President. “Additionally, this information will be very helpful for communitites that are targeting recreational activity to replace tax revenue that has been lost when other industries have moved out of the communities”.

“COHVCO/TPA believes this is valuable information for the OHV community, members, and industry and expands on the conclusions of the 2014 COHVCO OHV Economic Contribution study for Colorado. A formal study conducted by the Department of Commerce solidifies the economic significance of motorized recreation and the importance of keeping public and private lands open for access”, said COHVCO Executive Director Gerald Abbound.

A complete version of the Department of Commerce research is available here:  https://bea.gov/newreleases/industry/orsa/2018/pdf/orsa0218.pdf

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Scott Jones, Esq. at www.cohvco.org

Dave Roberts Joins Hall Realty 

After much thought and consideration, Dave Roberts, owner of Royal Elk Realty has decided to close his Independent Broker office and join Hall Realty as a Broker Associate. Hall Realty is celebrating their 40^th year and is thrilled to welcome Dave to the office.

Hall Realty was established in 1978 by Bill and Ruthanna Hall and is currently owned and operated by Jeff and Danielle (Hall) Worthen, alongside Broker Associate and Vacation Rentals Manager, Annette Anthony.

Roberts first came to Lake City with wife and County Clerk, Joan Roberts, in 1989. Together they owned and operated the Lake City Resort for 15 years. Dave obtained his real estate license in May of 2006 and was a Broker Associate with United Country Blue Moose Realty. In 2009, Roberts ventured out as an Independent Broker and opened Royal Elk Realty.

“It’s been 9 years,” Roberts said, “and it’s been very successful. But the business of real estate is very time consuming and a lot of work for just one person. It just makes sense to join with Hall because we have worked together for years. I think we can do a better job together and offer an even higher quality experience for our clientele.”

Roberts and Worthens agree that the ultimate goal in marrying their like-minded real estate business approach is providing excellent customer service. “What we strive for are satisfied and loyal real estate sellers and buyers,” Danielle said. “Dave is such a great addition to the Hall Realty family. We’ve shown properties and closed transactions together for years, and feel we are very well matched.”

Roberts reports that this new endeavor has left him feeling re-energized with a fresh outlook. WORLD asked him what the biggest lesson is that he has learned during ownership of Royal Elk. He replied, “Whatever you do, do it honestly. The difference is caring. You have to treat others the way you want to be treated. I intend to carry that philosophy with me to Hall.”

“It’s that attitude, how Dave wants clients to have a quality experience – the fact that he wants to be the difference, and his professionalism – that’s exactly why we want to bring him on,” Danielle said.

Roberts asked that WORLD express his sincere thanks to everyone who supported Royal Elk Realty knowing that he could not have succeeded without his loyal clients. He looks forward to continuing those relationships in his future real estate success with the Hall Realty family.

(As reported in the Lake City Silver World Newspaper, Friday, March 16, 2018)

Comparing the percent change from November 2016 to Novmeber 2017, New Listings remain the same for single family homes and townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 32.5% to $334,500 for single family homes and Days on Market decreased 72.4%.

New tax legislation could have ramifications on housing. The White House believes that the tax reform bill will have a small impact on home prices, lowering them by less than 4 percent, and could conceivably boost homeownership. The National Association of REALTORS® has stated that eliminating the mortgage interest deduction could hurt housing, as the doubled standard deduction would reduce the desire to take out a mortgage and itemize the interest associated with it, thus reducing demand. This is a developing story.

Photo taken by A. Danielle Worthen

OHVs are allowed on all Hinsdale County and Town of Lake City roads.

OHV Regulations include:

1. Must comply with all Colorado statutes pertaining to motor vehicles in motion. Must follow posted speed limit (all town streets are 15 mph, HWY 149 varies) and any other traffic laws.
2. Vehicle operators must have Valid Driver’s License in possession.
3. Proof of minimum liability insurance for each vehicle.
4. Helmet is required for riders under 18 years of age unless in a child restraint (a bicycle helmet will NOT suffice).
5. Motor vehicle child restraint laws apply.
6. Eye protection for EVERY rider (prescription glasses, sunglasses, goggles, etc.  A vehicle windshield also satisfies this requirement.)
7. No more occupants than OHV designed by manufacturer.  (ATVs may have 2 occupants.)
8. If provided by the manufacturer, seat belts must be worn.
9. Stay on designated roads.
10. Highly recommended – rear view mirror.

Here is Hall Realty Broker, Scott Williams’ fishing report for May 4th from the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River semi-private section in the San Juan Ranch Estates Subdivision:

“In case anyone is asking…  Fishing was GREAT today at San Juan Ranch.
Here are several Becky took.

What a place”

Fishing at San Juan Ranch today continued to impress.  The fish were hitting
small nymphs (as you can see in the photo.)

The river is still wade worthy which makes it easy to get to the good spots!

Photo by Becky Williams

I fished Highbridge section today with good results from about 11:00 to
1:00pm.  I still didn’t see any surface takes but the viciousness of the
strikes along with observing the fish higher in the water column were good
signs!  I caught several little ones plus some pretty fat medium-sized ones.
All hit nymphs but unlike earlier in the season, they were hitting the upper
nymph instead of the lower one.  (Maybe my lower one just didn’t look very
good!)  I did not catch as many as I might in that first week after the
major blowout subsides.  However, for March fishing, it was pretty good
today.  Also, the color of the rainbow trout is beginning to get beautiful.
Soon they’ll be spawning and the color will be even more dramatic

.