03/12/2025

Dear North Shore Marina Patrons,

It is with a heavy heart and great disappointment that we send this letter.  NSM negotiations with CPW for a long-term concession contract have concluded. Unfortunately, the negotiations have failed to produce contract terms that are acceptable to both CPW and NSM Ownership. As a result, at the end of the current short-term contract on March 31st, the marina will close, and CPW will demolish the existing docks and structures later this summer. 

By March 31, CPW requires all patrons’ boats and personal belongings to be removed from the marina. After March 31, the marina will be closed to public access. For patrons facing logistical challenges in removing their boats by the March 31 deadline, CPW has provided an email address for contacting them to discuss these issues. lake.pueblo.park@state.co.us.

For any patrons who have paid for slip rent, pontoon boat rentals, or overnight slips in advance, we will work diligently to return those funds as quickly as possible.

NSM will provide information as openly as possible and address any questions that may arise to the best of our ability. 

To the patrons who were here before the current ownership took over and endured without electricity, and to those who joined us after we assumed control, we extend our heartfelt gratitude: “Thank You!”  Without the amazing community of patrons and staff at NSM, extending the life of the marina over the past two seasons would not have been possible.

On behalf of the NSM staff, we have thoroughly enjoyed serving you.  We have loved being a part of your boating experience at the North Shore Marina, and we deeply regret that we can no longer continue serving you.

Respectfully,

The North Shore Marina Management

Dan Allen, General Manager

Kelli O’Neil, Operations Manager

North Shore Marina Facts Update

We are deeply saddened by the impending closure of the North Shore Marina. It is with great regret that we will cease operations of the marina at the end of this month.

The following is a quote by Kevin O’Neil, owner of Pueblo Reservoir Unified Marina, LLC, the company operating the North Shore Marina: “After two years of planning and a million dollars spent on plans for a new marina- set to begin construction after the 2025 boating season- it is heartbreaking to see North Shore Marina close.  I have enjoyed coming to the lake for over 50 years, and North Shore Marina has been our landing platform. “

Whenever decades-old assets are renovated, environmental concerns may arise.  Sunken boats, motors, steel cables, concrete blocks, and the uncertainty of other hazards 100 feet below the surface become more exposure than our company can handle.  We would like to thank the parks department for their efforts to save the marina in light of our state budget deficits.

Due to the high volume of questions we are receiving, we feel compelled to provide our loyal patrons with additional information.

1. How did we get here?

Since we agreed to operate the North Shore Marina on a short-term contract just over two years ago, we have been in negotiations with Colorado Parks and Wildlife on a long-term contract. We believed the negotiations were productive and enjoyed our relationship with CPW staff.

Due to those negotiations, we have spent over $1,000,000 planning for a complete overhaul of the marina infrastructure to include replacing the docks, restrooms, showers, store and shop, and of course increasing public safety and accessibility.

We believed we were close to a final contract last week when we learned that the latest version of the contract suddenly contained provisions that would assign us responsibility for removing all debris from the concession area, to include items on the reservoir floor. Those items include sunken boats, anchors or anything else that might be discovered and that predate our involvement with the Marina.  With no true inventory of what those items could be, and therefore the requirement to assume an unknown amount of liability, we, as any small business in a similar position, could not agree to those terms.

2. Who decided that boats have to be removed by the end of March?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife made the determination of timelines. Our current contract with CPW expires on March 31^st. Any questions should be referred to CPW at dnr_lake.pueblo.park@state.co.us or 719-561-9320.

3. Would you extend short-term so that a new solution could be reached or at least to allow for more time for boats to be removed?

We would be glad to continue operating the marina under another short-term extension to achieve a more favorable outcome.

4. What was the plan had a new contract been signed?

Our intention was to operate the marina as it is through this summer’s boating season while the state and federal agencies reviewed our plans for renovating and upgrading the marina. Once those plans were approved, we intended to start replacing infrastructure around October 2025, pending the issuance of necessary permits.

5. How many jobs will be lost by this closure?

Regrettably, we must lay off 8 full-time employees, 9 part-time workers, and 8 seasonal staff members. We will do everything possible to assist our local employees in securing future employment.

6. I have paid for slip rent in advance, will I receive a refund?

Yes, absolutely.  Due to the limited time frame of these recent events, we have not had the opportunity to address the issue of reimbursement for any fees paid in advance.  We will be working diligently over the next couple of weeks to identify those and process those refunds as quickly as possible.  This includes any future reservations for overnight slips and pontoon boat rentals.

Answer: The total number of slips is about 528, give or take a couple.  Some slips have been modified to have wider docks and less water space, so they throw off the numbers slightly.

Slips are not being classified as seasonal or annual this year because none of them have power.   We have offered annual contracts to those who want to have their boats in the water before April 1.  All others have been given seasonal contracts.  This method makes sense for this season and probably until power is restored to the slips.

As of April 15, 2024 , we have all slips rented and jet ski docks rented.

We are also holding back about 15 slips for day/weekend boaters and have already received requests to rent those slips for some holiday weekends. Check with us on availability by calling: 719.547.3880 or manager@nsmpueblo.com

Answer: Yes. Watch your text message alerts, emails and/or Facebook for the latest information.  We previously cleaned up the storage yard, purchased needed equipment, installed solar lights for security and addressed deferred maintenance, and added new items to the Marina Store.

Many capital reserve items will have to be addressed when the new marina is built and are not feasible to do in the short term and then need to be redone later. If you are disappointed about the circumstances surrounding the Marina, it is understandable. We completely understand, as we are boat owners with slips at the marina. We all are being inconvenienced.

Finally, let us assure you that we are working hard to provide Marina leadership and management. We are doing our best to get the Marina running as safely and quickly as possible.

Answer: We do not foresee having any electrical slips as we begin 2025.  Many boaters have gone to solar as alternative until thenew docks are built.

Answer: The gate code is updated monthly.  If you are a registered slip renter you will receive notices monthly for the new code.  We ask that you do not share the code with non-slip renters please for security. 

Answer: Slips for 2025 have been assigned.  However, if you would like to request a slip change, please email manager@nsmpueblo.com.  We cannot guarantee any changes, but let us know in case a slip opens up.

Answer: Yes!  You can check hours via our text alerts, email notices, or on Facebook. So hungry!

Answer:  Yes.  Check hours via text, email and/or on Facebook.  And, we have hired an experienced manager with retail experience! Wait until you meet her! We are so privileged to have her on the team.

Answer:  There will be water on the docks at the Marina as soon as the temperatures increase to turn the water to the docks back on safely.

Answer:  Please use this link with our current rental rates. https://northshoremarina.co/moorage-and-slips/

It also has our qualifiers for what makes a slip rate what it is. Our slip rents are mainly based on boat size and whether they are seasonal or annual renters. However, some slips are not the standard size and are priced based on the size of the slip. This mainly applies to Super Single and Super Double Slips. Hopefully, this helps explain our approach to rates.

Again, email: manager@nsmpueblo.com for questions.

Answer: We have noticed a number of boaters using solar to generate power. For example, on the 400 docks check out La Bella Vita. This houseboat, owned by Linda and Chuck Adams is now powered and off the grid thanks to solar energy.

“We are capable of running all of our low to moderate load appliances without a generator (that’s everything excluding air conditioner, electric water heater, and space heaters),” Chuck said. “We can now run everything as we did before, including television, microwave, and coffee maker. We stayed over a few weekends and ran everything as normal, without needing to run the generator. I have access to my boat cameras right now via the internet!”

Chuck is happy to offer recommendations that support five different scenarios:

1. Solar power to keep the batteries charged, which does not include the capability to run any electric This option will keep the batteries charged while the boat is unattended.

2. Solar electric power for occasional use on weekends, including short-term use of appliances such as coffee makers, microwaves, and televisions. This does not include the capability of leaving the electric power on full-time.

3. Full-time electric power for one low powered appliance, typically Internet. This provides the ability to keep a desired low powered appliance on 24×7. This is the ideal solution for keeping internet access available so that cameras can continue to be accessed and monitored remotely.

4. Full-time electric power for weekend use. This is the ability to turn the solar electric power on at the start of the weekend and turn the power off at the end of the weekend and allow the batteries to recharge during the week while the boat is not in use.

5. Full-time uninterrupted solar electric power for all small and mid-sized appliances. This option allows electric power to be available to the boat full time, round the clock, including while the boat is not in use. This allows access to internet-connected appliances such as security cameras. This is the system we (Chuck and Linda) are building for our boat, which is presently at 600 watts of solar panels and will soon be expanded to 2400 watts of solar panels. Our (Chuck and Linda’s) system is currently functional and operational, but still needs additional panels installed to complete.

Email: charles.walter.adams@gmail.com

Also, Lee Batty, of Pikes Peak Traveland sells solar power units and batteries according to his December 9 post on the North Shore Marina Facebook Page. 719.900.4800.

Answer: We have a preliminary marina layout and are working with an engineering firm.  Again, we are moving as fast as we can.  As you might imagine building a new marina is a complex process. Still, we did have a group of us come together last season to pull some creative ideas for marina design and amenities, which the engineering firm  asked us for — “dreamy ideas concerning the perfect marina.” We will do our best to communicate on progress as we have new information to pass along.

Answer: The typical width of most single slips is 10’, and typically double slips are 20’ wide. In the past, the docks have been modified in a few places where fingers are wider and encroach on the width of a slip, or there are some larger slips due to the way the docks were built. These odd-sized slips are not typical. We have attached the Rate sheet also for information.

Answer: CPW would like us to stop using tires in our wave breaks and dispose of the tires we have in dry storage. We are actively looking for a place to dispose of the tires in dry storage, and when the wave breaks are replaced, we will need a place to dispose of quite a few more tires. Regarding expanding the wave breaks, we are reviewing safety, engineering, and cost options but at this time have no plans to expand the breakwater.

Answer: Yes. It is one of the new amenities we are offering to slip renters. Please make sure we have your cell phone number.       We will include you in our messaging. Type STOP to opt out. The text message will come from 719-665-1050. You might not receive our texts due to several reasons:

• Phone numbers can not receive messages
• The recipient has blocked text messages
• Lack of space on the phone to receive any more text messages
• The message is dropped as the phone is moving or not close to a cell tower.

To add your cell phone number to our list please email:  manager@nsmpueblo.com

Answer: Yes. @nsmpubleo. It is entirely visual for some of you who might not be familiar with this social media platform. Photos. Videos. A marina is an ideal place to use this platform, don’t you think? Please like our account and share your photos and videos relating to marina activities only. Post only your best photos!

Answer: It is available. We have worked very hard to get the yard cleaned up and useful for storing boats, trailers, and jet skis from this point on.  More information  via manager@nsmpueblo.com.  As you know from our fee chart, there is a charge for storage. 

1. Will we get a monthly invoice via email from Dockwa, and if so, what date should it arrive?

Answer: Dockwa will send a reminder that payment is due on the first of the month.

2. When we signed up with Dockwa, we only had one option for payment. May we stop that, and if so, what is the process?

Answer: We can change that setting from the management side. Please reach out to manager@nsmpueblo.com or message us through Dockwa to change that to manual pay. We can also change the payment method to allow other forms of payment besides credit cards.

3. Can we mail a check, for example for slip rental instead of using Dockwa?

Answer: Yes. For those slip renters wanting to mail checks, please use this address: North Shore Marina, ATTN: Accounting, PO Box 1385, Colorado Springs, CO 80901

Answer: To this point, this has yet to be on our radar; however, we will consider it, as we can see the benefit of having the slip numbers visible from the water and the walkway.

Answer: No timetable has been set.  However, we have installed dock lighting and overhead lighting throughout the marina.

Answer: Use this link to access. https://northshoremarina.co/moorage-and-slips/

Answer: Yes. So, please bookmark the URL and watch for updates. https://northshoremarina.co.

Answer: Yes. You can purchase a day pass; however, most seasonal and annual slip renters buy the year-long pass with unlimited access. It is our understanding that with a Colorado vehicle registration in 2025 for $29 you will be able to get the Colorado Wild Pass. Check out this site to find out which park pass is right for you. Click here: https://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/ParksPassInfo.aspx

Answer: Yes. Any boat with a motor or sail operated in Colorado on any public waters must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

• Colorado residents are required to register their boats with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and must provide acceptable proof of ownership.
• Non-residents: Vessels from other states may be operated in Colorado for up to 60 days with current registration from the owner’s state. Learn more here: https://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/BoatingRegistrations.aspx

Answer:  Portable generators on boats moored in the marina are not authrized.