TOWN OF MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
SUNDAY, J ANUARY 25, 2026 5:00 PM
AGENDA
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Public Comment Policy:
•All public commenters must sign in on the public comment sign in sheet and indicate which item(s) they intend to give
public comment on.
•Speakers shall wait to be recognized by the Mayor and shall give public comment at the public comment microphone
when recognized by the Mayor.
•Speakers shall state their full name and affiliation with the Town of Mountain Village if any.
•Speakers shall be limited to three minutes with no aggregating of time through the representation of additional people.
•Speakers shall refrain from personal attacks and shall keep comments to that of a civil tone.
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•Written materials must be submitted 48 hours prior to the meeting date to be included in the meeting packet and of
record. Written comment submitted within 48 hours will be accepted but shall not be included in the packet or be deemed
of record.
Time Min Presenter Type
1.
5:00
Call to Order
2.
5:00 75 Legal
Executive Session for the Purpose of:
a.Receiving Legal Advice Under CRS 24-6-402(4)(b), Specifically
to Discuss the Circumstances Surrounding the Recent
Resignation of the Mayor
b.Receiving Legal Advice Under CRS 24-6-402(4)(b), Specifically
to Discuss Colorado Open Records Act Procedures
3.
6:15 15
Executive Session Public Update
4.
6:30
Adjourn
TOWN OF MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
Town Council Special Meeting
January 25, 2026-5:00 p.m.
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Additions to the Packet
Caution: External Message - Please be cautious when opening links or attachments in
email.
From:Eric Thoren
To:mvclerk; council
Subject:Public comments
Date:Saturday, January 24, 2026 7:05:16 PM
To Whom It May Concern,
Please add this to the special meeting happening January 25, 2026
I am writing with great concern regarding the current state of leadership and governance within our town
council. Recent developments have understandably raised significant questions among constituents
about stability, accountability, and the overall direction of our local government.
Before any appointments are made to replace the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem, I respectfully request
clarification on whether there is a lawful and procedural mechanism for the community to petition for an
entirely new council to be voted in by the electorate. Given the circumstances, many residents believe
that simply appointing replacements may not adequately address the broader issues of public trust and
representation that now exist.
The council’s legitimacy is grounded in the confidence of the people it serves. When that confidence is
shaken, it is reasonable—and, in my view, necessary—to explore options that allow voters to reaffirm or
redefine their representation through a transparent and democratic process. A full election, if permitted
under applicable statutes or municipal code, may provide the cleanest and most credible path forward.
I urge the appropriate authorities to clearly outline the legal options available, including whether a petition-
driven election or recall process can be initiated, and what thresholds or timelines would apply. Open
communication on this matter is essential to restoring confidence and ensuring that decisions are made in
the best interest of the community as a whole.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to a clear and timely response.
Respectfully,
Eric Thoren
Home Owner
327 Adams Ranch Rd.
unit 401
Telluride CO. 81435
Full time residence
I
1
Lynn Holbert
101 Spring Creek Drive
Mountain Village CO 81435
646-556-5399
[email protected]
VIA EMAIL
Erin Spillane, Editor, Telluride Times
[email protected]
Scott Pearson, Mayor Pro Tem, Town of Mountain Village
Members of Mountain Village Town Council
[email protected]
Teddy Errico, Mayor, Town of Telluride
Members of Telluride Town Council
[email protected]
Re: The Devil We Don’t Know
Dear Editor, Mayor Pro Tem Pearson, Mayor Errico, and Councilmembers:
Our two communities were divided first by the ski patrol strike and again by revelations that two
elected officials secretly visited Mr. Horning during that strike to submit a partially binding offer
to purchase a controlling interest in the resort on behalf of an investor-funded entity they would
ultimately control. The Towns’ councils each considered another divisive question: whether they
should investigate those actions. Telluride’s council approved an independent investigation.
Mountain Village’s council, however, declared such an investigation “moot” at its January 15,
2026 meeting following the mayor’s resignation, and is today obtaining legal advice on that
question. Discourse on these questions has focused on parties we know well enough to demonize
or defend. But there’s an unresolved issue more troubling than the actions of former Mountain
Village mayor and patroller Prohaska and Telluride councilmember Fee: the identity and conduct
of the investors behind the offer. What of the devil we don’t know?
At minimum, the Offer to Purchase to which these backers were willing to add $127.5 million
reveals an attempt to corrupt public process. The Offer explicitly binds the purchase price,
including not only $127.5 million of cash but promised official actions detailed in Exhibit B.
That is either graft by public officials or bribery by investors—either way, it smells. Whoever
financed it either conspired with elected officials or exploited them. That much is clear. The
locally familiar figures—Mr. Horning; the ski patrollers; their supporters and critics; former
Mayor Prohaska and councilmember Fee—readily invite either condemnation or dismissal.
Whether motivated by animus toward Mr. Horning or by the prospect of control, public officials
allegedly bound themselves to deliver official favors in secret negotiations. That alone compels
many of us to demand scrutiny. But others of us ask, “So what?”—so what if they met with Mr.
2
Horning as concerned citizens; so what if they explored “options for a better future for all of us”
(as Fee explained) while local businesses suffered.
The explanation that Fee and Prohaska were acting as concerned citizens exploring better options
no longer aligns with the facts. The resort’s CORA request revealed that instead of a conciliatory
visit, they were offering official influence as part of a partially binding purchase proposal—a
proposal that would have given them management control of the resort. If these investors were
truly conspiring to fund a better future, transparency would serve them. Instead, secrecy has
prevailed.
Therefore, the risk that looms larger than all the parties familiar to us lies with the backers who
were willing to proceed in this manner. Prohaska and Fee have acknowledged that they know
who the investors are. The public does not but certainly should. If these backers were prepared to
use illicit or unethical means to gain control of the resort—an economic cornerstone of both
Towns—can they be trusted to act in our communities’ best interests? Or would they create a
political climate where palm-crossing is the norm for business success in our economy, and how
would that affect our local, hardworking business owners and employees?
Several compelling reasons require a shift in focus from “So what?” about the devils we know,
to “So who?” are the devils we don’t know?
- Knowledge is power—and leverage.
The resort’s CORA requests may give Mr. Horning insight into Town decision-making on the
issues – water rights, flights, housing and ski patrol - tied to the Offer. Whether that will be used
for leverage, litigation, or policy influence remains unknown. That he retained a prominent
white-collar criminal defense and litigation lawyer from a globally prominent law firm suggests
this matter is far from over. Before the Towns release additional information, they must fully
understand all parties involved and the potential uses of that information. The citizens you
represent deserve no less transparency than any private actor.
- Investment impacts real people.
The strike and closure damaged local businesses. The Offer itself likely delayed negotiations,
compounding harm, as Mr. Horning’s legal team analyzed and considered the offer and its
ramifications. Recent investor-driven actions—from restricted access to Allred’s, to the
acquisition and transformation of the Daily Planet, to rumored pressure on commercial tenants—
demonstrate how outside investment can reshape communities for better or worse. The identity
and practices of these investors matter.
If an investor has already demonstrated a willingness to corrupt public officials to gain control of
critical infrastructure, citizens have a right to know who they are so that we can use our voting
and other rights to protect our economic and democratic interests.
- Good governance requires disclosure—even absent criminal findings.
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Municipalities owe their loyalty to the public, not private capital. Without understanding investor
identity, motivations, and expectations, the Towns cannot assess conflicts of interest, defend
their decisions, or ensure future actions are legally sound. Secret negotiations expose officials
and municipalities alike to accusations of bias, predetermination, and legal vulnerability.
Failing to investigate carries real risks:
• Legal exposure and loss of leverage
• Erosion of public trust
• Damage to municipal credibility
• Potential invalidation of Town actions
• Personal liability for officials if conflicts later surface.
Taking no action now to investigate the backers of a corrupted offer may allow uncertainties to
harden into assumptions—possibly incorrect ones—creating long-term consequences for
governance, decision-making, and the Towns’ reputations.
For these reasons, I believe the Town of Mountain Village should investigate all actors -
preferably through independent counsel or advisors - and to the extent possible should coordinate
that investigations with the Town of Telluride’s investigations so that both Towns can identify
the investor(s), their financial commitments and expectations, what role public officials or staff
played in developing and advancing the Offer; and whether applicable laws, ethics rules, and
governance standards were followed. Only a complete and transparent understanding will allow
the Towns to fulfill their duties to citizens and safeguard the integrity of future decision-making.
Sincerely,
-rfJ-1/
c,1-;Ja
Caution: External Message - Please be cautious when opening links or attachments in
email.
From:Darren Miller
To:mvclerk; council
Subject:Public comment
Date:Saturday, January 24, 2026 5:55:09 PM
Please include in special meeting on January 25th, 2026
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing with great concern regarding the current state of leadership and governance
within our town council. Recent developments have understandably raised significant
questions among constituents about stability, accountability, and the overall direction of our
local government.
Before any appointments are made to replace the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem, I
respectfully request clarification on whether there is a lawful and procedural mechanism for
the community to petition for an entirely new council to be voted in by the electorate. Given
the circumstances, many residents believe that simply appointing replacements may not
adequately address the broader issues of public trust and representation that now exist.
The council’s legitimacy is grounded in the confidence of the people it serves. When that
confidence is shaken, it is reasonable—and, in my view, necessary—to explore options that
allow voters to reaffirm or redefine their representation through a transparent and democratic
process. A full election, if permitted under applicable statutes or municipal code, may provide
the cleanest and most credible path forward.
I urge the appropriate authorities to clearly outline the legal options available, including
whether a petition-driven election or recall process can be initiated, and what thresholds or
timelines would apply. Open communication on this matter is essential to restoring confidence
and ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the community as a whole.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to a clear and timely response.
Respectfully,
Darren Miller
327 Adams Ranch Rd, unit 301
Mountain Village, CO 81435
Concerned resident and business owner
Sent from my iPhone
I