The owner of Echo Mountain Resort has filed for bankruptcy, citing nearly $1.5 million in debt.
The Denver Post reports that Nora Pykkonen, who purchased the Clear Creek County ski area in 2012, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday. She says ski operations won't be affected.
Pykkonen initially converted the ski area into a membership-only training ground for young ski racers, but had to change course once membership fees weren't enough to pay the bills.
Since opening the area to the public, Pykkonen says she's seen more first-time skiers and visitors from out of town.
She says the ski area is still "figuring out what works and what doesn't."
Pykkonen still owes more than a dozen creditors, including the one who helped finance the ski area purchase.