Opinion: Chautauqua: it’s time for transparency
A few years ago the Colorado Chautauqua Association (CCA) board proposed putting a hotel on Open Space near Chautauqua. This absurd concept only emerged into the light of day because one board member had the courage to actually speak about it, breaking the “code of secrecy” that seems to surround much of what goes on with the CCA. Now we have another development proposal, not nearly as outrageous, but potentially equally ill-conceived. It’s to build a “modest 7,000 square foot” building, containing offices, maintenance facilities, and a meeting space, where the current Chautauqua Picnic Shelter is located, just to the south of the auditorium where we go to hear the Colorado Music Festival. Apparently, one reason to build this is to generate more revenue so that the CCA board can fund their “Chautauqua 2020 Plan.” (The CCA’s Web site contains a general “2020 vision statement,” but lacks details, supporting documentation, and financials. The proposed building was reportedly represent...