<\/p>\n
Citing public health and safety issues, the Town of Dolores forced The Rio Grande Southern Hotel to close its doors on Friday.<\/p>\n
Six residents and the owner, Susie Sieber, were told they had to be out by 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
Dolores town attorney Mike Green stated electrical and building code violations threatened the health and safety of residents, and forced the business to be shut down immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on our inspection, and an evaluation by the state electrical inspector, the problems were deemed serious,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had to close the building until the issues can be addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
A complaint triggered a two-week investigation, resulting in a building and electrical inspection that took place on March 5, town officials said.<\/p>\n
Green and interim town manager Lana Hancock said they tried to give residents more time to move. However, they were advised by state regulators that the building was unsafe for habitation, triggering an immediate closure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a fun process, but we are protecting lives,\u201d Hancock said. \u201cWe erred on the side of public safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Residents learned last Friday they had just hours to move out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a total surprise,\u201d said resident Nik Melchionda. \u201cI\u2019ve lived here a year and enjoyed it. I\u2019ll be moving into my RV.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sieber said she disagrees with the violations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a licensed electrician come through, and he said there were no violations,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m devastated, and feel it is unfair. This is my only source of income.\u201d<\/p>\n
Residents were informed of alternative housing options, including the Bridge Emergency Shelter in Cortez.<\/p>\n
Contact information for Red Cross, United Way, and Housing Solutions were distributed, and the county health department assisted in relocating residents, town officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m staying in a hotel tonight,\u201d said Gary Webb, 74, a two-year resident. \u201cSusie has taken good care of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope to come back,\u201d said resident Hilary Swortwood. \u201cThe owner has a heart of gold, and this hotel is the heartbeat of Dolores.\u201d<\/p>\n
A restaurant in the hotel is also part of the closure. The hotel is on the state register of historic places.<\/p>\n
Locks were to be put on the doors by the town and sheriff\u2019s office, who were stationed as a civil standby while residents packed up their belongings. Entrance into the building is possible by appointment only with the town and sheriff.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel bad for my residents,\u201d Sieber said. \u201cI\u2019ve refunded their rent money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sieber and her lawyer, Jon Kelly, have indicated a challenge to the closure order, according to Green. Three town board members were appointed to be part of the appeals board, Santiago Lopez, Ginger McClellan-Swope, and Sandy Lauzon.<\/p>\n
Green said they want to work with Sieber to establish a building permit for the hotel and resolve the code violations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur main focus is to work with the owner, get her back in there and back in business,\u201d Green said.<\/p>\n