GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Relocating a detox center and halfway house outside the city could add vitality to downtown businesses.Colorado West Regional Mental Health decided to incorporate the facility into unused space at its location on Highway 82 about seven miles south of downtown. The move put a 7,200 square-foot commercial building in Glenwood’s downtown core on the market.

The spot could now be used by a business drawing people downtown instead of for a detox facility and halfway house.”It’s never been seen by the downtown business community as a real compatible use for space in the downtown retail core, and I was really pleased that Colorado West did find another location,” said Mayor Bruce Christensen. “I think we want to have a more vital community in the downtown that’s composed of more retail businesses and restaurants that would be attractive to visitors and residents alike.”Formerly called the Colorado West Recovery Center, at 711 Grand Avenue, Colorado West listed the property with Mason Morse Real Estate on Dec. 1 for $850,000. Advertisements have also been purchased in the Post Independent.The building, constructed in 1951, was purchased in January 1988 for $206,000, according to the Garfield County Assessor’s Web site. Ken Stein, executive director for Colorado West, said that was around the time Colorado West began using the facility.Cindy Svatos, who works at the Confetti Design store at 8th and Grand, said the facility didn’t seem to have a negative impact, but that the spot is much better suited for retail or a restaurant.

“It’s just a perfect retail space, or restaurant space,” she said. “Something for downtown, instead of a boarded-up looking building that had no appeal.”The change in location was made to consolidate operations, increase efficiency and save the cost of maintaining the building downtown, Stein said.”This allowed us to consolidate into one location,” he said. “The facilities out on Highway 82 are, I think, much more modern. It seems the building on Grand has a lot of wear and tear.”The services at the new location still include five beds for detox and 18 beds for the halfway house or transitional living environment. The only difference other than location is that women must go to Grand Junction for the halfway house service. Stein said that decision was made due to limited space. But the facility will still provide services to stakeholders including four counties, about 10 municipalities and three hospitals, he added.

Police Chief Terry Wilson said it’s too early to tell what the impacts of moving the detox facility might be for his department. The GSPD will be driving farther to transport people to detox, but it should also save time by not having to respond to occasional calls at the facility, since it has moved outside city limits.”I guess it’s your classic case of there’s some upsides and some downsides,” he said.The building is not yet under contract for sale, and Stein was unsure of what might go in.”The city’s been a good friend to Colorado West,” he said. “If we can help them out by selling to someone for commercial use to benefit the community, that would be our first choice.”Contact Pete Fowler: 384-9121pfowler@postindependent.com