Work to restore an old ski area in southern Colorado has resumed following a contentious halt.

Ahead of a one-year agreement expiring this month, Huerfano County leaders had ordered nonprofit Panadero Ski Corp. to stop all activity at Cuchara Mountain Park, the site of the former ski area base and chairlift the county took ownership of following Cuchara Foundation’s purchase and transfer in 2017.

At their latest meeting, commissioners granted nonprofit hands returning to the park to lay snowmaking pipe and proceed with plans for non-lift-served skiing this winter.

A recent Panadero Ski Corp. post on social media thanked commissioners and indicated plans to run a “ski bus” as conditions allowed on weekends, starting in late December through spring. The nonprofit last year introduced the snow cat ride up the hill, while other skiers have continued to “earn their turns” on the old runs abandoned in 2000.

Under the latest guidance from commissioners, Panadero will not yet be allowed to return to years-long work on the lift. The lift has been key to the nonprofit’s mission, which reportedly garnered close to $160,000 from individual donors and event revenues last year.

The continued pause comes at the county attorney’s advice to await word from the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board, the regulatory agency certifying lifts for riding. (Asked about concerns raised, a spokesperson for the board declined to offer any specifics, telling The Gazette: “The board remains in contact with Huerfano County and Panadero.”)

In the meantime, commissioners approved a temporary working relationship with Panadero. Sides agreed to better communication and for a liaison to oversee that.

How would the nonprofit feel if the relationship ended May 1 after more months of work and investment? That was the question of Commissioner John Galusha.

“Obviously, that’s not ideal,” said Ken Clayton, treasurer of Panadero’s board. “But again, it’s all about the park. It’s not about us.”

Clayton emphasized the vision from Cuchara Mountain Park’s very beginning, following Cuchara Foundation’s purchase and transfer: The county was to own the property while a concessionaire emerged to manage it, keeping the local public at the forefront while making operational money on lift rides, in the vein of other nonprofit ski areas. Panadero Ski Corp. emerged as that concessionaire.

But the relationship with the county soured following what one side described as “a little break” on the lift. County officials understood it to be more problematic and representative of deeper issues.

While Panadero stands by its work — a combination of volunteer and contracted labor, representatives have said — and coordination with the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board, the nonprofit has heard questions over its qualifications and professionalism.

“If we’re going to work with (Panadero), we have to build a trust relationship,” county Administrator Carl Young said at the commissioners meeting.

Galusha said he wanted to transfer the land back to Cuchara Foundation, as the foundation’s board, closely tied to Panadero, previously requested this month. Though, Galusha recognized “a sticky issue” of breaching a contract with grant provider Great Outdoors Colorado.

Commissioner Arica Andreatta said she worried about visions for the park changing with an evolving foundation board over the years.

“I understand the sense of urgency of wanting to get rid of the park and get rid of any liability and get rid of the headache we seem to have constantly for something that should be enjoyable,” Andreatta said. The transfer might be easier, she said, “but I also feel like as a county, that would be a detriment to our citizens.”

She expressed confidence in building trust. As did Panadero representatives, who have expressed a priority to honor donors.

One at the meeting described himself as giving “a substantial amount to facilitate getting the lift going.”

“I know trust is important,” he said, “but I think we all need to take a deep breath and say, ‘We all feel passionate about this, and sometimes it’s going to have rough edges.’”