Response: Article from Former Colorado Springs Mayor

John Suthers’ recent commentary opposing the proposed Buc-ee’s development near Palmer Lake speaks to the growing concern among residents who believe this development threatens the very character of our region.

The land in question may be privately owned, but it is directly across from Greenland Ranch — the only uninterrupted stretch of protected open space along I-25 between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. Colorado taxpayers have invested more than $100 million to preserve this land. Building a massive 120-pump travel center with nearly 800 parking spaces next to it is not compatible with that investment or with the surrounding natural environment.  The proposed site is not appropriately zoned for a development of this scale. It is partially designated for community commercial use and would require rezoning and extensive infrastructure upgrades — including roads, utilities, and emergency services — all for the benefit of a private, out-of-state corporation.  With a corporation whose 80% of it customers are from out of town, it does not fit the community commercial zoning requirement.

Palmer Lake’s attempt to annex this parcel through a flagpole annexation — reaching two miles outside its town limits — only adds to the frustration. The town stands to collect the tax revenue, while residents in unincorporated El Paso County bear the full impact: traffic congestion, light pollution, noise, and increased strain on rural roads. And yet, these residents have no voice in Palmer Lake government.

We recognize the need for economic development, but it must be responsible, community-driven, and in scale with the environment and infrastructure. Buc-ee’s is none of those things. As John Suthers writes, if this project erases what makes Palmer Lake and the Tri-Lakes region special, what exactly are we saving?

We urge local leaders to reject this development and protect the land, wildlife corridors, and community identity that make this place worth calling home.

You can read the entire article here.