SUN photo/Ed FincherAnyone traveling up Put Hill in Pagosa Springs last weekend may have noticed bright orange and yellow signs on each door at the Sky View Motel.
A closer inspection would reveal these are “DANGER” signs, which state, “This building is deemed unsafe for human occupancy. Under section IFC 110.1.1 Unsafe of the building code of the City of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, it is unlawful for any person to occupy or reside in this building.”
The notice, which is signed by Pagosa Springs Building Official Zach Richardson and dated Oct. 16, also states, “Any unauthorized person removing this sign will be prosecuted.” The sign on unit 7 had already been removed when SUN staff took photos of the building yesterday morning.
For the rest of the units, the doors also displayed signs that stated, “Occupancy of the Skyview Motel must be evacuated not later than Monday, October 19, 2015, 12:00 Noon, Mountain Standard Time by order of the Town of Pagosa Springs Building Official/Fire Marshal.”
Below that was a notice to the motel’s customers with a number of suggestions for alternative housing options.
Due to the recent shortage in affordable housing, many local hotels have seen a significant increase in the number of people staying on a weekly or monthly basis until a more suitable place for rent opens up. It is possible that some of the Sky View’s customers were in this situation.
On Tuesday afternoon, Richardson and Town Manager Greg Schulte explained to SUN staff what led to the closure of the Sky View.
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