Earl Wrote <100K a year would make a BIG impact on the C&TS in ways no one will like>
I suppose that is why I wish (I can dream, can't I?!?!?) that some way could be found to convince more people to ride out of Antonito.
If Antonito could share more of the load, then perhaps some hospitality development would be built there, thus not turning Chama into nothing but motels and eating places.
Of course as Earl mentioned, there is that 6 month out of the year season problem.
Even though Antonito has US 285 & CO 17, I suspect most chains would not see the point in building there when they could build in Alamosa with highways coming in from 4 directions.
If there were more lodging and eating in Antonito, it is not in a bad place really, as it is close to Taos and Santa Fe, yet not that far from US 160. A vacationer could "do Santa Fe", then come to Antonito and ride the C&TS,spend the night, then be in position to be not too far away from the fishing in the Wolf Creek Pass area, the Sand Dunes, or for that matter, the Salida area.
But Earl is right, until there are Best Westerns and Super 8's and McDonalds etc in either of the C&TS towns, many people will not consider staying there.