Beginning in early December 2016, MLI operated a 12-room, 48-bed
dormitory in Olathe, Colorado. The dormitory had the primary purpose of
housing H-2A seasonal migrant agricultural workers who worked in adjacent
farmlands from May through November each year. MLI used it from November
to April. In April 2017, the facility was returned to the lessee for those
purposes.
In 2018, a change in farming operations made MLI’s use of the Olathe
The dormitory is unfeasible for the next winter season. Fortunately the then
The sympathetic council of the City of Montrose generously made an unused
housing facility known as The Brown Center (situated just north of the airport
on the west side, adjacent to the Montrose Animal Shelter, available for use
by seasonal agricultural workers and the unsheltered guests of MLI on the
same shared basis as the Olathe dormitory: H-2A worker housing from May
through October, and MLI guests from November through April. Although the
The building itself is owned by the City of Montrose, it was leased to Mr. John
Harold, president of Tuxedo Corn, who sub-leased it (with the City of
Montrose’s approval to MLI, for 6 months a year since 2019, for the winter
season. This arrangement may change if/when the City of Montrose makes a
decision to directly lease the Shelter buildings to LHI rather than
Having Mr. Harold sublease it. The guests assemble each evening at a
location in downtown Montrose (outside Shepherd’s Hand) at 5 pm, and are
transported by van to the dormitory. The van conveys them back to Montrose
at 8 am the next morning.
How We Operate……..
Montrose Light House ( MLI) has, until very recently, been an all-volunteer organization with no
salaried employees. A per diem stipend is paid to three volunteers who
supervise the dorm operations during the night, drive the van for dorm
transportation, and assist with food operations. In previous years, the average
count was 9 to 10 people a night occupying but in 2025 these numbers
increased to as many as 28 individuals. In early 2025, the board felt it
necessary to hire a facilities manager to handle a growing set of other
complex issues. This position, (although still fulfilling the original duties), was
formally elevated in April 2025 to that of director, with more responsibilities
and financial authorizations. The arrangement is for contractual employment
with a set hourly rate and number of hours. The initial contract is for 90 days
with the mutual option of the person involved and the board, making the
position permanent. This depends, in large part, on having funds available;
thus emphasizing the necessity and importance of raising these funds.